volume 22, no. 1 spring 2010 The University of Regina Magazine

The charitable Dr. Tom Jackson Celebrated actor and singer among a trio of honorary degree recipients Prairie Berry Clafoutis

Saskatoon berries are the hands-down culinary emblem of Saskatchewan, but increasingly the province’s chefs are using the new Saskatchewan cherry when a local berry is called for. This recipe makes use of both. In France, clafoutis (cla-foo-tee) is traditionally made with cherries and served for breakfast or brunch.

2 tbsp. butter 2 cups mixed Saskatchewan berries, fresh or frozen (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, cherries and, of course, saskatoons) 1 tbsp. flour 3 eggs 3 tbsp. sugar 1 cup milk 1⁄2 tsp. vanilla 1⁄4 tsp. salt 1 cup flour

Heat the oven to 350°F. In the oven, melt the butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet or large pie plate. Do not brown. Meanwhile, toss the berries with 1 tbsp. of flour. In a blender or food processor, mix the eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla and salt. With the blades running, gradually add the cup of flour and blend well. Pour the batter into the pan. Scatter the berries overtop. Bake 20–25 minutes, until the centre is set. Serve warm or at room temperature, sprinkled with icing sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup. Alumna Amy Jo Ehman BAJ&C’85 and her husband made a one-year commitment to eat almost exclusively Saskatchewan-grown and -raised food (shown here is her recipe for Prairie Berry Clafoutis). Her book about the experience, Prairie Feast: A Writer’s Journey Home for Dinner, hit shelves last month. Ehman looks back on the experience beginning on page 42. (Photo by Don Hall, U of R Photography Department. Clafoutis by Catherine Bickford-White.)

Degrees spring 2010 1 Bem-vindos, tervetuloa, our world. It is one of the Regina is a place of exchange I enjoyed reading Jennifer ngiyanemukela, selamat best ways to create which fosters understanding Rattray’s article about Kenneth datang and bienvenue. No understanding among peoples among peoples and where Strath Moore in the Spring matter what language you and to develop enduring global connections are 2009 issue of Degrees. speak — Portuguese, Finnish, political, cultural and constantly being created. In However, something rang Zulu, Indonesian or French — economic links between the name of my study group, I untrue from my own military I welcome you to the spring nations. As a university and would like to thank you for background and that was the issue of Degrees magazine. as individuals, we have an providing our generation less than accurate description important leadership role in with such opportunities.” of Kenneth’s brother Victor I thought I would start this creating global connections, being awarded (not winning, issue off with greetings from and it can begin with our We are truly living in a global please) the Military Cross. a sprinkling of different relationships with the people village. The story of Raïmi Jennifer’s excerpt from the languages because a lot of us around us.” and her study group is just original description of the at the University of Regina one of the thousands with award is in itself accurate – are thinking globally these When master’s of Public an international connection “distinguished and meritorious days. Administration student Raïmi around the University of services in battle” – but B. Osseni read the sentiment Regina. In this issue of undervalues the current (and This international perspective put forth by President Degrees, we are pleased to at the time of Victor’s award) started about 30 years ago Timmons, she was moved to bring you a few more. standard applied to its being with our first agreements with send the following e-mail: awarded. In 1920, the terms were some outstanding institutions In “A community without altered to clearly state the in China. Ours was the first “Last night, it was 11 p.m. borders,” you can read award was for gallant and university in Canada to forge when I left the University. I was Brian Miller’s compelling story distinguished services in such strong and lasting ties leaving behind one of the best of how three individuals action. In fact, in the Army’s with Chinese institutions. study groups I have ever been associated with the U of R application of the award, it part of. Yordanos, from Eritrea, reached out to help people was awarded almost The University’s global vision is doing a master’s degree in half a world away deal with exclusively for gallantry in continues to this day with Justice Studies. Shahnora, the misfortune that came action. student and faculty exchanges from Uzbekistan, and Makiko, their way. all over the world. It’s also from Japan, are completing Brian Colgate reflected in the collaborative their honours degrees in I trust you will find these agreements between International Studies. stories and the others University of Regina within the covers of this researchers and those at Born in Benin, and having issue inspiring, educational other universities around the lived in six countries on four and entertaining. world. It’s evident in our continents, I am completing a classrooms as students from master’s in Public Until next time, as they across the globe come here Administration. Although I say in Esperanto, the to study. It’s even formally reside and work in Manitoba, I international language, stated in the vision of the wanted to experience is revido. University’s Strategic Plan, education in another province Ĝ which reads in part that the of the Prairies. I am very happy So long. University “combines deep- I chose the University of rooted values with innovative Regina and can only regret Greg Campbell thinking, classroom theory that my program is so short. Editor with real-world practice, and global ideas with regional Beyond readings and papers, needs.” something else brought us together yesterday — Not so long ago, President something deeper. We are in Timmons shared one of her different fields, but we had so own global ideas in the much in common. This conclusion of her monthly morning, as I reached the message: conclusion of your message, I knew what it was. Dr. “We can all realize the Timmons, I can guarantee you potential that international from a student perspective education offers to us and to that yes, the University of

2 Degrees spring 2010 Editor Greg Campbell BFA’85, BJ’95

Communications Director Paul Corns

Alumni Association Board 2009–10 Charlene Banjac BA’98, MEd’06 President The University of Regina Magazine Sean McEachern BEd’03 First V-P Spring 2010

Margaret Dagenais CV/TEd’87, volume 22, no. 1 BV/TEd’91, MEd’97 Second V-P

Colin Woloshyn BAdmin’99 V-P Finance On the cover: Tom Jackson may be one of Canada’s best known actors and singers but Loni Kaufmann BAdmin’95 the spring 2010 honorary degree recipient is also known as one of Canada’s most Past President charitable celebrities. Photo by Todd Korol. Kyle Addison Linda Dewhirst BA’75, MVTEd’04 Teresa Drew BASc’01 Matt Hanson BA’94, BAdmin’97 Neil Jacoby BAdmin’74 Richard Kies BAdmin’93, CPR’03 Jay Kirkland BAHon’99 Adrienne Nolan Paul Owens BAHons’03, MA’06 Shawn Pearce BEd’91, PGDC&I’98, MEd’06 Byron Traynor BEd’78

Contributors Bill Armstrong Shannon Bachorick Amy Jo Ehman BAJ&C’85 Kim Grey 8 16 26 Don Hall Rae Holtsbaum Trevor Hopkin Kevin Kavanaugh Todd Korol Brian Miller BA(Hons)’89, BJ’95 features A community without Brenda Oliver borders 26 Shanan Sorochynski BA’02 Wherever there are people in Brittany Staines BAdmin’03 The blossoming of need, you’ll find individuals Sean Whalley MFA’00 Rachel Mielke 8 Armed with a healthy dose of associated with the U of R there All photos by University of Regina to lend a helping hand. Meet an Photography Department confidence and entrepreneurial unless otherwise noted. spirit, a young alumna has alumna, a student and a faculty Original design and layout by member who went out of their Bradbury Branding and Design. turned her jewellery design business into an unqualified way to make a difference. Degrees is published twice a year by External success. Relations at the University of Regina. The Open to possibilities 32 magazine is mailed to alumni and friends of A look inside the University’s the University. Ideas and opinions published 2010 honorary degree long and mutually beneficial in Degrees do not necessarily reflect those of recipients 14 the editor, the Alumni Association or the relationship with iQmetrix, the University of Regina. Letters and editorial Meet this year’s crop of contributions are welcome. Advertising honorary degree recipients — Regina supplier of e-business inquiries are invited. Alistair MacLeod, Tom Jackson software to wireless retailers in and Hayley Wickenheiser. Canada and the United States. To reach us:

Editorial/Advertising/Letters A gentle giant in Degrees, External Relations Canada’s midst 16 departments 210 North Residence, University of Regina From a troubled life on the 3737 Wascana Parkway streets of Winnipeg to stages Feed Back 2 Regina, SK S4S 0A2 and screens across Canada and Ph: (306) 585-4402 Fax: (306) 585-4997 President’s Note 4 E-mail: [email protected] around the world, Tom Jackson is doing his part to make the Address Change/Alumni Relations Around Campus 5 Alumni Relations world a better place. 210 North Residence, University of Regina Spot Light 21, 31 3737 Wascana Parkway Regina, SK S4S 0A2 Focal Point 22 Ph: (306) 585-4112 Fax: (306) 585-4997 E-mail: [email protected] Alumni President Message 36 Toll-free: 877-779-4723(GRAD) (in Canada and U.S.) Class Notes 37

University of Regina homepage 360 Degrees 42 www.uregina.ca

Publication Mail Agreement Number 40065347 Return undeliverable magazines to: External Relations 210 North Residence, University of Regina 3737 Wascana Parkway Regina, SK S4S 0A2 ISSN 0843-7092

Degrees spring 2010 3 President’s Note Welcome to the most recent the good news that the federal education. Achieving that aim provide the institution with the issue of Degrees magazine. government has joined the comes fundamentally from new beginning it seeks. As is This is a wonderful time of University’s partnership with providing opportunities for the case with our other year on the Prairies and a Royal Dutch Shell and the First Nations people to assume federated colleges, Campion perfect time to enjoy the great provincial government. This greater direct control over their College and Luther College, we outdoors with friends and development will allow us to lives. will continue to work together family. I encourage you all to further expand the commercial We all have a vested to provide an unparalleled enjoy the season to its fullest. opportunities of our carbon interest in the well-being of post-secondary educational This is also a good time to capture and storage First Nations University of experience for our students. reflect on what has been a technology, and really sets the Canada. Great gains have been This is also the time of year most exciting and productive stage for us to become a made since 1976, and the of the University’s largest time at your University of world leader. University of Regina remains celebration of academic Regina. In other research news, our committed to the principles achievement – Spring I am proud to say we are physicists are partners in the upon which First Nations Convocation. This June will see seeing growing interest in the world’s largest physics University of Canada was more than 1,600 students earn UR Guarantee, which was research project near Geneva, founded: “to enhance the degrees, diplomas and launched at the beginning of Switzerland. University of quality of life, and to preserve, certificates in every one of our the past academic year. The Regina researchers are protect and interpret the ten faculties. We will also see program, unique in all of participating in the ATLAS history, language, culture and the awarding of three new Canada, offers undergraduate Project – a particle physics artistic heritage of First honorary degrees to three very students the guarantee of experiment at the Large Nations people.” deserving individuals: Hayley additional educational support Hadron Collider at CERN, the The principle of respectful Wickenheiser, Tom Jackson and if they are not successful at European Organization for engagement underscores the Alistair MacLeod. launching their new careers Nuclear Research. Over the independence of First Nations I trust that all of our new within six months of coming years, the research University in its federated graduates have enjoyed their graduation. conducted at CERN will relationship with the University learning experience and that The UR Guarantee, along fundamentally change our of Regina. While First Nations their time at the University has with many other initiatives – understanding of the origins of University is academically been one of growth and including improvements to the universe. integrated with the University enrichment. I wish each of you academic programming, our I do want to mention the of Regina, it is legally and the best in your future commitment to marketing and challenges faced recently by financially independent. The endeavours and ask that you branding, our increased First Nations University of recent challenges that have stay connected to your alma presence in the communities Canada. I offer a reminder that been faced by our federated mater. I thank you for your we serve, our strategic the Saskatchewan Indian partner have created the need dedication and commitment to enrolment management Federated College was for a relationship over the hard work while studying at project, and our new strategic originally established in 1976, course of the next four years the University of Regina. You plan – has helped stem the and on National Aboriginal that will see the University of are to be congratulated for tide of the troubling trend of Day, June 21, 2003, became Regina work administratively achieving your academic goals. declining enrolment. This year, known as the First Nations to help re-establish First I wish you much success as enrolment has increased by University of Canada. The Nations University of Canada you continue to make a more than two per cent and institution was created as an as a sustainable institution, difference in our world as new I’m optimistic that we can acknowledgment that an academically tied through its University of Regina alumni. make declining enrolments a important way for Canada’s federated relationship that has On behalf of the University thing of the past. First Nations peoples to define been strong since 1976. of Regina, enjoy the summer. From our Energy and and realize their role in society I have every confidence that Environment portfolio comes is through post-secondary this transition model will Vianne Timmons

4 Degrees spring 2010 Left: Dean of Arts Rick Kleer. Right: Stephanie Young.

Comings and goings where he is responsible for co- Administration, co-recipients of Stephanie Young, of the Faculty ordinating audit, accounting, tax the Award for Excellence in of Engineering and Applied Carmen Dybwad is the new and business advisory services Teaching; Greg Marchildon, Science, was the recipient of chief executive officer of the for a broad range of clients. Johnson-Shoyama Graduate the Award of Innovation at the International Performance School of Public Policy, is the Regina Chamber of Commerce Assessment Centre for Geologic Luigi Benedicenti is the newly recipient of the Award for Paragon Awards. Young has Storage of Carbon Dioxide elected faculty representative to Excellence in Research; and, developed a system to reclaim (IPAC-C02). Dybwad has held the Board of Governors. Bruce Anderson of the Faculty greywater — the mildly increasingly senior positions Benedicenti is a professor and of Business Administration contaminated household during a 20-year career with associate dean in the Faculty of receives the Award for wastewater from sinks and the Government of Saskatchewan Engineering and Applied Science. Excellence in Public Service. washing machines. Her research and the University of Regina. He received his laurea in The awards are co-sponsored looks at ways to use greywater electrical engineering and PhD by the Alumni Association and for purposes such as irrigation Rick Kleer has been appointed in electrical and computer the University. and household uses. dean of the Faculty of Arts. engineering from the University Kleer is an associate professor of Genoa in Italy. Former Chair of the Board of In February, the University of in the Department of Economics Governors, Mo Bundon, is this Regina men’s varsity curling and had been serving as acting Jo-Ann Episkenew BA(Hons)’91, year’s recipient of the Board of team won the gold medal at dean. The Faculty of Arts is the BAHC(Hons)’92, MA’94 was Governors Distinguished Service the 2010 Karuizawa International largest academic unit at the appointed director of the Award for his contributions to Curling Championship in University of Regina. Indigenous Peoples’ Health the University of Regina over Karuizawa, Japan. The team the years. consists of Chris Busby (skip), Research Centre (IPHRC). Prior Jason Obst (third), Justin Chancellor William F. Ready QC, to becoming the director of the Competing against students Mihalicz (second), Brad Wallin LLD(Honorary)’89; Patrick Maze IPHRC, she was an associate from nine other universities (lead) and Brent Rogers BA’92, BEd’96, MEd’05; Marsha professor of English at the First across western Canada, a team (alternate). Barteski-Hoberg BEd’94, Nations University of Canada of 53 students from the Paul J. BA(Dip.)’09; Audrey Neilson where she served a variety of Hill School of Business finished The men weren’t the only BEd’85; and Robert Krismer academic administrator roles, second at the JDC West successful U of R curling team BEd’73, BA’95, PGD’90 were including department head of Business Competition. This this past season. The women’s elected by acclamation in the English, and academic dean marks the third consecutive team captured the top prize at April 12 Senate election. Terms and associate director year the U of R has finished in the 2010 CIS/CCA Women’s Curling for the chancellor and district (Programs and Administration) second, making it the only Championship defeating the representatives are effective of the IPHRC. Her book Taking team to finish in the top three Saint Mary’s University Huskies. July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2013. Back Our Spirits: Indigenous in each of the last three years. The team included Brooklyn No nominations were received Literature, Public Policy, and Lemon (skip), Chelsey Peterson for the Saskatoon or Melville/ Healing won a Saskatchewan In another competition, the (third), Ashley Green (second), Yorkton/Hudson Bay districts. Book Award for Scholarly Paul J. Hill School of Business Nicole Lang (lead) and Sarah Writing in 2009. accounting team finished Watamanuk (alternate). The Stuart Pollon has joined the second in the Inter-Collegiate team will compete as Team Board of Governors as an Business Competition Canada’s Canada at the 2011 FISU World Order-in-Council appointment. Congratulations premier undergraduate Universiade in Erzurum, Turkey. Pollon replaces Mo Bundon, the business case competition at previous Order-in-Council This year’s Alumni Association Queen’s University in Kingston, There was plenty of U of R appointment and a former chair Awards for Excellence winners Ontario. Members of the team representation among the of the Board of Governors. are: Phillip Charrier, are fourth-year student Jon recipients of the sixth annual Pollon is a chartered accountant Department of History, and Rob Josephson and third-year Mayor’s Arts & Business Awards and a partner with KPMG LLP Giberson, Faculty of Business student Josh Litschko. held in Regina in April. Alumna

Degrees spring 2010 5 Left: Kaitlyn Semple. Right: Greg Marchildon.

Elizabeth Raum MMus’84 No. 1, won first prize at the Public Policy. The program, Psychology, leads a team of received the Living the Arts International Competition for which promotes Canadian researchers that has received Award for her outstanding Orchestral Composition in research excellence, announced $400,000 from the Canadian contribution to the arts. Trieste, Italy, in 1972. funding of $200,000 a year for Institutes of Health Research seven years to fund Marchildon’s (CIHR) to develop a website The Innovation in the Arts President Vianne Timmons has research into comparative health and train mental health award went to Chris Hamilton been honoured by the Canadian systems to analyze and practitioners to use the Internet BEd’85, high school teacher Association for Community evaluate the Canadian health to help its clients. As well, the and founder/director of Best Living (CACL) with the National system relative to other Saskatchewan Health Research Buddies Blues Band, which Inclusive Education Award. countries. Marchildon, a Canada Foundation is providing brings together mainstream Timmons was presented with Research Chair in public policy $100,000 for the research over students with students with the award at a ceremony at and economic history, also three years. The funding is intellectual disabilities. The 25- Ryerson University in Toronto in studies the impact of the Great good news for students too. member band performed at the February. The CACL encourages Depression on prairie provinces Computer Science and 2010 Paralympic Games in the full inclusion of people with by conducting historical research Psychology students will Vancouver. intellectual disabilities in every on public policy, the environment develop the website and facet of daily life. The National and the economy. students will be hired to train The Excellence in Arts Inclusive Education Award is therapists to use it. Later, Management award was won presented to a person who Thomas Hadjistavropoulos has research will be done to study by Gerry Folk BA’92, head of makes outstanding contributions been appointed Research Chair the outcomes of the project. in Aging and Health. Supported the Conservatory of Performing at the national level. Timmons The U of R is partnering with by a donation to the University, Arts. Folk has increased was also the recipient of a five health regions in southern the Research Chair in Aging and enrolment and finances by 2010 Regina YWCA Woman of Saskatchewan on the project. Health dedicates the majority introducing new programs, Distinction Award for leadership of their time to gerontological including performing arts day and management. The University of Regina has research. The Research Chair camps, the Conservatory become the first university also supports the mandate of Theatre for Young People and Barb Pollock BA’75, BEd’77, outside the United States to the Centre on Aging and Health, the Bravo Gala fundraiser. vice-president of External become part of an elite group which focusses on the Relations, was recognized as a enhancement of graduate of universities that conducts The Emerging Artist award was Woman of Influence by training, health research and research into nuclear physics awarded to Kaitlyn Semple Saskatchewan Business community outreach. and technology commercialization. BFA’09, who was recently Magazine in its January issue. Hadjistavropoulos’ research, The U of R has accepted an awarded the 2008 Hnatyshyn Pollock was named a Fellow of funded by the Canadian invitation to become a member Foundation Developing Artists the Canadian Public Relations Institutes of Health Research of the Southeastern Universities Grant. The young singer/ Society in 2006 and was (CIHR), the Saskatchewan Research Association (SURA), a actor/dancer has appeared in recognized by the Association Health Research Foundation consortium of more than 60 four major theatrical productions of Fundraising Professionals as and the Social Sciences and universities in the U.S. As well since completing her bachelor Outstanding Fundraising Humanities Research Council of as its research projects, SURA of fine arts degree last year. Executive for 2008. Canada, focusses on pain jointly operates the Thomas assessment and management Jefferson National Accelerator The Lifetime Achievement among seniors with a special Facility in Virginia with the U.S. award went to Thomas Research news emphasis on seniors who have Department of Energy. Schudel, who recently retired severe limitations in ability to after a 40-year association with The Canada Research Chair communicate because of The U of R has been granted the RSO and the University of program has renewed its dementia. almost $500,000 by the Canada Regina, where he was head of appointment of Greg Marchildon, Foundation for Innovation (CFI) the music department from a professor at the Johnson- Heather Hadjistavropoulos, a for four research projects. These 1975–78. His work, Symphony Shoyama Graduate School of professor in the Department of projects cover a variety of

6 Degrees spring 2010 areas, including the projects designed to homelessness for five days, to event, and provided the dean environment, health and understand and improve a raise awareness of the issue of the Faculty of Business education. child’s ability to cope with and raise money for Carmichael Administration with some great stressful experiences. The work Outreach. The students were advice for improving the BBA The largest grant ($214,000) will will focus on several areas, required to attend all their program. If you are a BAdmin be used to establish a 3-D including the nature of how classes during the campaign or BBA alumnus, you are physical and computational stressful events are experienced but had to sleep outside, could welcome to attend the next reservoir modelling laboratory, by children; how children not use cell phones or meeting on Tuesday, August 31. which will provide innovative remember such experiences and computers and had to depend Registration is at 7:15 a.m., infrastructure for researchers in prepare for and cope during a on donations for food and and the meeting runs from petroleum engineering to stressful experience; how drink. The students raised over 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in investigate possible approaches experiencing stress impacts $17,000. Room 514, Education Building. to enhance heavy oil recovery learning, academic skills and Please RSVP to while minimizing environmental cognition; and the long-term Development of a new Campus [email protected] if impact and to reduce CO2 impact on children’s Master Plan is underway to you would like to attend. emissions through geological development. determine the future carbon sequestration. The development of the campus. The Petroleum Technology project is lead by Fanhua Zeng The new plan will provide key Research Centre has donated in the Faculty of Engineering Briefly principles to guide campus $125,000 to the University to and Applied Science. development during the next establish a new scholarship for As part of the cross-country five years and beyond. graduate students in Petroleum A grant of $144,269 will be Olympic torch relay, the Developing a new campus plan Systems Engineering. Graduate used to establish the Prairie University of Regina’s Chamber is done every few years, and students who have completed Environmental Processes Singers were selected to provides opportunities to make a bachelor of Applied Science Laboratory (PEPL), which will perform “There’s a Light,” the sure the physical campus can at either the University of integrate studies of the prairie official anthem of the 2010 accommodate the priorities set Regina or a bachelor of environmental system, including Winter Olympics Torch Relay out in the University’s new Engineering at the University of precipitation, stream flow and strategic plan. landscape changes. PEPL will Ceremony on January 9, when Saskatchewan and are be the only facility of its kind the Olympic torch passed beginning a graduate program Coinciding with its 30th on the Prairies. The project will through Regina. The Chamber in Petroleum Systems anniversary, the School of be led by Kyle Hodder of the Singers have performed in Engineering at the University of Journalism has launched a new Department of Geography. some of North America’s great Regina are eligible to apply. concert halls, including book entitled Thirty Years of Journalism and Democracy: The Darren Candow, assistant Carnegie Hall in New York. They The University of Regina has Minifie Lectures, 1981–2010. professor in the Faculty of twice won first prize in the been selected as one of 11 The book is published by the Kinesiology and Health Studies, mixed choir category at the universities across the country Canadian Plains Research will receive $58,830 to develop National CBC Amateur Choral to participate in a new pilot Center in co-operation with the simple yet effective exercise Competition, as well as first program headed by the federal School of Journalism and and nutrition strategies to prize in the chamber choir government’s Canada School of contains each of the School of increase aging muscle and bone category at the International Public Service. The program Journalism’s 30 Minifie lectures, mass. This innovative research Eisteddfod in Wales. allows university students to including those by such noted will help improve understanding access premium online second- journalists as Pamela Wallin, of how aging muscle and bone language training tools. It’s The Seniors Education Centre Valerie Pringle, Peter respond and adapt to exercise designed to give students and the Seniors’ Education Mansbridge, Lloyd Robertson, and nutritional intervention Group presented its considering a career in the strategies, which may result in Rex Murphy, Adrienne Clarkson, Distinguished Canadian Award federal public service the cost savings to the Evan Solomon, Kevin Newman to Canadian Football League opportunity to meet bilingual Saskatchewan government by and Terry Milewski. Partial Hall of Famer and former requirements for many public improving functionality and proceeds from the sale of the running back with the service jobs prior to quality of life for older adults. book will be donated to the Saskatchewan Roughriders Minifie Lecturer’s Scholarship, graduating. The leadership of the program will be provided The final grant for $73,131 will George Reed. This marks the which will be granted to by the Institut français, which, be used to establish a Child 26th annual celebration for the eligible students at the School since its creation in 2003, has Health, Learning and award. of Journalism. Development (CHLD) Laboratory provided French-language under the leadership of Kristi Five students (Ryan Bourlon, The newly formed Hill Alumni training to numerous public Wright of the Department of David Fraser, Alex Fox, Merrissa Advisory Forum held its servants. Psychology. The new CHLD Karmack and Cheryl McKay) inaugural breakfast meeting on Laboratory will provide from the Paul J. Hill School of Friday, April 23. A total of 20 opportunities for research Business experienced alumni turned out for the

Degrees spring 2010 7 The blossoming

Rachel Mielke BAdmin’03 appeared on CBC television’s Dragons’ Den in 2008 looking for $200,000 to jumpstart her jewellery design business. Now, on the threshold of a million dollars in annual sales, Mielke is leading the pack of a new generation of entrepreneurial graduates charting business success on their own terms in their home province.

Rachel Mielke is poised for even greater success as her jewellery design business nears annual sales of a million dollars.

8 Degrees spring 2010 of Rachel Mielke By Brittany Staines BAdmin’03 Photos courtesy of GJ Photo and Details Photography Studio.

he Dress for Success Fashion Show and Fundraiser is about to begin, and Rachel Mielke is backstage inspecting the ensembles worn by the friends and T community members who are serving as models. Through the growth that her company Hillberg & Berk has enjoyed, she has learned that she doesn’t need to micromanage the finer details. Still, she is an important element to the event’s continuing success. Entering its third year, the Dress for Success Fashion Show and Fundraiser faced uncertainty: it had lost its presenting sponsor. Having attended in the past, Mielke intervened. “I’ll step up. We’ll step up. We have lots of experience planning fashion shows.” As a bonus, the aim of Dress for Success, a non-profit organization that provides career wear for economically disadvantaged women, is well aligned with Mielke’s goal to support women’s causes. “It was a perfect fit for H&B,” says Mielke. Social responsibility is entrenched in the Hillberg & Berk business plan. “We have a mandate to empower women, and local women are our first focus,” says Mielke. She also serves the executive of the local Business and Professional Women’s club, and contributes to women’s shelters and breast cancer initiatives. Beyond women’s issues, she participates in a Parkinson’s disease fundraiser and donated some of the proceeds of 2009 Planet Rocks collection to help clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. “What’s the point in having a successful company if you can’t, in the end, give back to your community that has helped nurture you?” Mielke asks today, but her commitments to philanthropy and volunteerism predate the rapid rise of her success as a jewellery designer. Awareness of Hillberg & Berk grew exponentially in 2008, largely due to Mielke’s ability to leverage media coverage from a pair of events that had an important impact on her business. First, her company was accepted to present at the 2008 Oscars gifting lounge. There, her jewellery made it to the red carpet on NBC correspondent Jinah Kim. Her creations also became gifts for Katie Couric and Spike Lee’s wife. Since then, Hillberg & Berk jewellery has adorned the likes of Beverley Mahood, Diana Krall, Céline Dion and Carrie Underwood. Later in 2008, Mielke appeared on CBC’s Dragons’ Den where she landed a $200,000 investment from Saskatchewan- born entrepreneur Brett Wilson. “When I invest in a business, I am more interested in the person than the

Photo by GJ Photo. project,” says Wilson. “Rachel was one of those people who

Degrees spring 2010 9 Photo by GJ Photo. Photo by Details Photgrphy Studio. Left: Mielke’s sense of social responsibility has led her to become involved in numerous philanthropic and volunteer activities including the Dress for Success Fashion Show. Right: Mielke (at left) with country music star Beverley Mahood (centre) and Dragon’s Den star Brett Wilson in Regina last year for the launching of another Hillberg & Berk collection. Mahood collaborated with Mielke on a line of jewelry that reflects Mahood’s Irish roots. Wilson invested in Hillberg & Berk when Mielke made a 2008 pitch on the popular CBC television program.

stood out for me. She knows her industry, she understands and explains that Saskatchewan provides her a clear how to uniquely position her product in terms of marketing, competitive advantage. plus she has a lot of passion and confidence for a young “I see the reality of people who are in Toronto and trying entrepreneur — all important factors for me when I to make a name for themselves in the industry. It’s really consider investing in someone. The fact that she is also from competitive, it’s really tough, there’s a huge cost of living ... Saskatchewan is just a bonus.” I have been able to stand out from the crowd just being from After the Dragons’ Den appearance, sales skyrocketed. western Canada.” According to Wilson, in the two years of their partnership, Internally, there are many reasons to stay. “There’s a sales have climbed from $100,000 to nearly a million. Along hugely supportive community in Saskatchewan,” Mielke the way, Mielke has become a darling of Saskatchewan’s explains. She has access to the University of Regina’s best business community, attracting many followers. faculty members. On the retail front, the citizens of Sylvain Charlebois, associate dean of the Johnson-Shoyama Saskatchewan buy up her collections. And on the business Institute of Public Policy, has been watching Mielke side are people like Karen and Chris Pasterfield who own “blossom” as an entrepreneur as her business knowledge Laurie Artiss Ltd., the firm that shares a downtown office grows. She has had to refocus her energy away from her location with Hillberg & Berk. Having held the contract to passion of design, the element that won her initial success. supply pins for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the Pasterfields advise Mielke on licensing agreements and Today she explores all the multifaceted aspects of business. supplier contracts. According to Charlebois, Mielke has faced challenges with To Charlebois, Mielke embodies the virtues of international outsourcing and other struggles that Saskatchewan’s people. “I’ve lived in four different entrepreneurs face with a growing business, but he credits provinces,” says Charlebois. “The work ethic here in this her as a quick study who has used her mistakes to her province is amazing. Because of this, anything is possible. advantage. “She has become a much wiser business woman People in Saskatchewan are so genuine, patient and open- as a result.” minded.” He looks to Mielke to lead the way with Charlebois regularly invites Mielke to give back to her entrepreneurial spirit. alma mater by serving as a guest speaker in his Mielke is living proof of the province’s coming of age in a undergraduate and MBA classes. “I love it because I competitive economy. On the fashion scene, she doesn’t remember when I was in university, I looked up to the guest apologize for the fact that she is from Saskatchewan, but it’s speakers we had — entrepreneurs who were local people not a card she plays either; she just wants to succeed on her doing amazing things on an international scale,” says merits. Mielke’s passion drives her business success, and Mielke. “That, to me, was the pinnacle of ultimate learning inspires the students at the University of Regina to pursue — seeing someone who’s doing something that’s real and their dreams in Saskatchewan. It has also helped the Dress tangible instead of reading it out of a textbook. Whenever for Success Fashion Show and Fundraiser reach the five-digit (Charlebois) asks me, I’m elated to talk. And I talk and talk dollar mark, placing the organization in a position to hire its and talk. He has to shut me up and kick me out the door.” first part-time employee. Charlebois hopes the exchanges between Mielke and his As the fashion show draws to a close, the models walk the students are mutually beneficial. He wants to provide her catwalk one last time while Mielke looks on. The crowd has with a forum from which she can borrow ideas from the risen to a standing ovation, and the atmosphere is upbeat. class, and he finds her message vital to their malleable They want to be a part of something positive. Appreciative business minds. Despite the variety of issues Mielke tackles, of the support she has received at Hillberg & Berk, Mielke Charlebois makes a point of asking her the same question in channels the goodwill into something much bigger than each class for the benefit of students: “When there are herself. D synergies to be found with companies in Toronto, the United States and around the world, why have you chosen to Brittany Staines is a freelance writer and marketing consultant. operate out of Regina?” Every time, she defends her decision She lives in Regina.

10 Degrees spring 2010 Realize. The difference a gift can make.

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Degrees spring 2010 11

2010 University of Regina honorary degree recipients

hat do hockey legend The process begins each fall when puts forth recommendations to Gordie Howe, astronaut the University’s Joint Council and Executive of Council and Senate. At W Julie Payette and Liberal Senate Committee on Ceremonies any given time, the University holds Party of Canada leader invites nominations for honorary enough of a list of approved honorary Michael Ignatieff have in common? If degree candidates. Nominees are degree recipients to last for several you thought they were all linemates on generally respected Western Canadians years of ceremonies. This year, the the Detroit Red Wings’ Production who have distinguished themselves in University’s list of honorary degree Line, you’re wrong. They’re all the public service; professionals or recipients grows by three with the recipients of a University of Regina creative artists who have achieved a awarding of honorary doctorates to a honorary degree. reputation for excellence; or scientists, trio of very deserving individuals at the Institutions of higher learning have humanitarians, public servants or spring convocation: Alistair MacLeod, been awarding degrees honoris causa public personalities who are one of Canada’s most critically (for the sake of the honor) since the recognized nationally or acclaimed writers; singer, actor and Middle Ages. The University of Oxford internationally. humanitarian Tom Jackson; and bestowed the first on Lionel Woodville, Under certain circumstances, Hayley Wickenheiser, considered by the man who later became the Bishop nominations are accepted for a many to be the greatest women’s of Salisbury, in the late 1470s. candidate on a special occasion, as was hockey player to ever lace up a pair of In spring 1965, former prime the case when, in 2004, the University skates. minister Lester B. Pearson and Rex awarded an honorary degree to Her Get to know this year’s honorary Schneider, the first principal of Luther Royal Highness The Princess Royal degree recipients a little better in the College, became the first of the during her visit to Saskatchewan. pages that follow. University of Regina’s 171 honorary Each year the committee meets to degrees recipients. assess the newest list of nominees and

14 Degrees spring 2010 “Alastair MacLeod was not only born in Saskatchewan, he was an inspiration for the province’s literary community, for he became a champion of regional culture in Canada. His stories and novels dug deeply into the vital Scottish- Canadian culture of Cape Breton, and he became known as one of the best story-tellers in North America. To hear him speak his stories was an unforgettable experience. Fans would travel hundreds of miles just to hear his rich Celtic-flavoured voice tell the story of, for example, “The Boat,” from his 1976 collection The Last Salt Gift of Blood.” Ken Mitchell Saskatchewan novelist, playwright and poet.

MacLeod: I was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, and lived on the outskirts (Ibstone) for only five years. My father was a schoolteacher and farmer. I remember the names of some of the neighbours, the names of our horses and the name of our dog. I remember the house. There are some photographs which jog my memory. I have always felt very positive about Saskatchewan and these feelings are not just limited to my birth certificate.

Campbell: What impact (if at all) does receiving international acclaim have on your writing? MacLeod: I don't think the “international acclaim” has any real effect on my writing. The writing is done before the “acclaim” so I am just pleased that people in other areas of the world appreciate it. My work has been translated into approximately 20 different languages so I am constantly pleased that the Japanese, the Israelis, the Albanians etcetera find something in my work that appeals to them. These responses re-emphasize my belief that writing is a communicative act and that if you send out “messages in a bottle,” those on distant shores will receive them.

Campbell: I read you return each year to a place in Cape Breton that was described as a “cliff-top cabin looking west

Photo by KevKav courtesy Photography, of University of Windsor. towards Prince Edward Island.” Sounds like a great place to Alistair MacLeod write. It got me thinking about the extent to which place influences writing. Can you tell me about writing at that place in Cape Breton? Would you have written the same Writer Alistair MacLeod has received acclaim the world over things in your office or home in Windsor? Can you also tell for his short stories and novels. me the importance of your place in Cape Breton? I’m He has received high praise from writers such as Joyce interested in the role it plays in your life. Why do you Carol Oates, David Adams Richards, Margaret Laurence, Hugh continue to return? What does returning give you that you MacLennan, Robert Stone, Margaret Atwood and Alice Munro, wouldn’t otherwise have? who once said that his work “reaffirmed (her) faith in the power and supremacy of short stories.” His fiction, poetry and MacLeod: I return to my place in Cape Breton because it is scholarly observations have appeared in numerous where I grew up and where my family has been for a long, publications, have been translated into more than 20 long time (in Canadian terms). My ancestors came to Canada languages and have been the source of four film adaptations. in 1791 and all of them are buried in the local graveyards. I Degrees editor Greg Campbell had this e-mail exchange currently live in a house built my great-grandfather. I very with Alistair MacLeod in late April. much believe that “place” influences writing. Literature coming out of Saskatchewan, such as that of Sinclair Ross and Campbell: You were born on the Prairies but raised in Cape W.O. Mitchell, is “different” from literature coming out of Breton. Do you think there are any lingering effects on either New York City. The same might be said of the poetry of John your life or your writing from those first years that you spent Newlove and Lorna Crozier. I do not mean “better” but in Saskatchewan? “different.”

Degrees spring 2010 15 By Kim Gray Photos by Todd Korol, Bill Borgwardt and courtesy of Alison Jackson and SEVEN24films.

Tom Jackson, one of this year’s honorary degree recipients, after a late spring snowfall at his home outside of Calgary. Photo by Todd Korol 16 Degrees spring 2010 A gentle giant in Canada’s

Tom Jackson, Canada’s ambassador of goodwill and one of this year’s honorary midst degree recipients, simply wants to leave the world a better place.

om Jackson, meticulously reputation as one of Canada’s most Cree mother and English father on the dressed in a blue shirt and effective, and most humble, One Arrow reserve) and how he conducts grey, pinstriped suit (his humanitarians. his life that keeps winning him this T trademark braid tucked Wayne Hellquist, CEO of the country’s most impressive accolades? beneath the collar), sits at a table in a Regina Food Bank, is convinced his The list is outstanding (and this is Calgary café. friend has “raised more money than only a sampling): Officer of the Order That Jackson has managed to find any other individual or corporation” of Canada (2000), the Queen’s Jubilee this time at all is remarkable given his for food banks in Canada. (Aside from Medal (2002), Centennial medals from breathless schedule, one that keeps his part in the CBC television series Alberta and Saskatchewan (2005), the him buzzing around the country, and North of 60, Canadians best know Canadian Academy of Recording Arts often the world, as he networks with Jackson from The Huron Carole, an and Sciences Humanitarian Award forces that might help with one of his annual travelling Christmas concert (2007), the Academy of Canadian many causes. that raised money to support food Cinema & Television’s Humanitarian “What do I do for a living?” he banks in this country for 17 years.) Award (2007) – not to mention muses thoughtfully – revealing the “The beauty of Tom is that he’s countless honorary degrees from rumbling, baritone voice that always looking for ways to do more,” universities nationwide. distinguishes his acting and singing says Hellquist of the man who, over JP Ellson BA’82, chief operating performances. “I save lives. That’s the course of his career so far, is officer and general legal counsel for what I do.” estimated to have helped raise more the Saskatchewan Recording Industry If he was anyone else, this than $5.5 million dollars to feed Association, insists Jackson’s ability to declaration might risk sounding Canada’s hungry. “Tom is a quiet, rally people around a cause, to affect cavalier. But the fact is, this good- unassuming, gentle giant who wants change, is buoyed by his distinctly natured giant of a man – renowned to leave the world a better place.” “genuine” nature. also for his goofy sense of humour and So what is it about the guitar- “The first time I met him, he sparkling eyes – has forged a slinging activist (born in 1948 to a hugged me. Not the insincere music

Degrees spring 2010 17 Left: Jackson with co-star Tina Keeper on the set of one of the five franchise movies, 2005’s Distant Drumming: A North of 60 Mystery. Jackson played Keeper’s brother Peter Kenidi in the series that ran from 1992-97. (Photo courtesy of SEVEN24films.) Centre: Jackson in a December 2009 photo from a Singing For Supper concert in Edmonton. (Photo by Bill Borgwardt.) Right: Nineteen years of marriage and counting. Tom and Alison Jackson share a laugh. (Photo courtesy of Alison Jackson.)

industry hug, but a real hug. I’ll never love,” says Jackson, who confesses he shape — struggling with severe cocaine forget it,” says Ellson, referencing a made decisions, at varying stages of his addiction. “I was living in a crawl space theme that surfaces repeatedly during younger life, “that were inappropriate and digging my own hole,” he recalls. interviews with Jackson’s nearest and for me and for others.” Until late one night, upon leaving a bar dearest (his grizzly bear hugs are Anything anyone ever said about after a pool game, he experienced an famous). him during this period “that was bad,” event that would reset the course of his Critically, Jackson also leads by he half-jokes, is probably true. unstable life. example, Ellson explains. Watching him “I was totally self-indulgent. There is He noticed what might be mistaken in action – raising money for and no sweetener for any of that. At one for a large garbage bag on the sidewalk awareness about everything from point, I made a living as an entertainer ahead. Other people were crossing the affordable housing to programs that or playing pool, or darts or road to avoid coming into contact with combat native youth suicide – incites backgammon or chess,” continues the suspicious looking bundle. Jackson others to take action. Jackson. “This allowed me just enough chose to investigate and wound up “His existence almost guilts you into money to buy my decadence. I put it up finding a man who appeared to be doing good things yourself. You watch my nose. I’m still in recovery. That part dying. doesn’t end.” him and you think, ‘I better get out “His eyes were wide open. He there,’” confesses Ellson. “When he “Tom is a quiet, couldn’t function. When I asked him if calls, I know there’s something coming. he was okay, he didn’t respond. I But that’s what he does and that’s fine. It unassuming, gentle couldn’t help myself at the time, but I gives you personal satisfaction to be giant who simply could help him. I returned to the bar involved with Tom. He would trade all and asked them to call Emergency of his awards for more money for one of wants to leave the Services,” Jackson remembers. “I was his causes. He never forgets his roots. He world a better place,” plagued by the fact that a guy could be never forgets North Main.” dying and the world could be walking North Main. This would be Jackson’s says Wayne Hellquist, by. It terrified me. I called the next day other life. Before he turned himself CEO of the Regina and was told he was going to be okay. around. (“We’re all going to fall at some People say I saved this guy’s life. I time in our lives,” Jackson will say – Food Bank. believe he saved mine.” referencing this troubled period in his Jackson would eventually find Not long after this unforgettable history. “But we need to show our himself in a relationship that produced night, Jackson would experience children that we get up. That people do two children. After the relationship another life-altering event. He would get up.”) dissolved, he would go on to marry and meet and propose to his future wife – North Main, an impoverished have two more offspring. This then Alison Jones. Alison (now Alison Winnipeg community, is where he relationship would end as well. “I loved Jackson) recalls first meeting her found himself as a young teenager after my children but I really wasn’t their husband-to-be when he was at the tail leaving home and high school to live on father,” he says of his now adult kids. “I end of an important relationship. She the streets. “To be clear, it would be see them. But not often enough. They was struck by both his honesty and his misleading to suggest I was homeless. are busy getting on with their lives. I vulnerability. My family loved me. I was there by can tell you that I love them all.” “It was like he took his heart out, and choice. I totally loved the lifestyle, the By the time Jackson reached his late put it on the table. And there it was, just gangs and the camaraderie. I loved the 30s, he explains, he was in terrible pumping,” recalls the woman who had

18 Degrees spring 2010 “His existence almost guilts you into doing good things yourself. You watch him and you think, ‘I better get out there,’” says JP Ellson, chief operating officer and general legal counsel for the Saskatchewan Recording Industry Association. “When he calls, I know there’s something coming. But that’s what he does and that’s fine. It gives you a personal sense of satisfaction just to be involved with Tom.

admired Jackson’s musical and acting better healthcare, better education, that assists families with challenged abilities over the years. “I felt I had been potable water, if you want to save kids), the performer brought along his given this opportunity to be mindful people in Ethiopia or in Shamattawa, guitar. and respectful but to be allowed in. I’d Manitoba, if we want to do any of that, it But before launching into a song he never met a man like that. He was so takes money. If I don’t associate recently co-wrote about peace, which open and free. I knew this was it.” economics with a better quality of life, thrilled the youth in the room and On one of their first dates, Jackson then I’m a long way from the truth. To brought tears to the eyes of most of the recalls asking Alison what her life’s make change, you have to put business adults (prominent Calgarian ambition was and, a budding and charity in the same category.” philanthropists), Jackson gently toured entrepreneur at the time, she Asked to say a few words last month the room. He stopped beside people, announced that she wanted to make a at an Ottawa reception where reached out and squeezed their million dollars. Jackson replied: “Well, I Buffy Sainte-Marie was honoured with a shoulders. He addressed a table of youth, want to save the world. So how about Governor General’s Performing Arts beneficiaries of Hull, with a startling, this? I’ll help you make a million dollars award, Jackson says he “had to think but much welcomed, declaration of if you help me save the world.” back to what the world was like before affection: “I’ve said it before and I’ll say The pair struck a deal and, 19 years of people like Buffy existed. There was a it a thousand times, I love each and marriage later, his stylish and spirited time when I could tell you where every every one of you.” wife, who has successfully applied her crack in every sidewalk was. (First The room was silent. But full of an business acumen to his charity circuit, Nations people) didn’t know what the awareness that someone remarkable likes to joke that she’s held up her end blue sky looked like because we were was in its midst. A tall, strong man who of the bargain. “Still waiting for that always walking with our heads down. isn’t afraid to say the “L” word – who is million,” she laughs. Until there were people who had accomplishing more for humanity that More recently, the pair has helped influence, who gave us a voice, most will ever do and who, importantly, launch an annual Singing for Supper permission to speak. They used to call in no way lords this fact over people. concert series, in the tradition of The us Indians. Now, we hold our heads high Lorne Calvert, former premier of Huron Carole, and a Swinging for and we speak and we speak loudly and Saskatchewan, said it best when asked Supper golf event, inspired by the late people listen. How much action do we about his impressions of his long-time Peter Gzowski’s Invitational Golf get? Well, you can’t change the world friend. “Tom lifts the spirit and calms Tournament. They were also involved in over night.” the soul. What I know is that anyone The Dreamcatcher Tour, a suicide But, he’ll add, you can change the who has been in his company or heard awareness event, that ran for a dozen world. his voice in a theatre is left with a sense years and reached out to 170 locations “I don’t believe in being militant, but of peace and inspiration,” Calvert wrote in the country to deliver Jackson’s I won’t say I haven’t been radical from in an e-mail. “Those who have benefited message of empowerment. time to time. I chose my guitar as my most from him? Those are people whose “These projects are my life’s blood,” instrument of change,” he says. “I don’t names we will never know.” D Jackson explains – adding that before he know which is right and which is engages in any “project,” it has to meet wrong but I do know that we move Kim Gray – a graduate of Carleton three criteria. “It has to be a joy. It has to more people with a song or a ballad University's master’s of journalism make a difference. It has to make good than we do the bullet.” program – is a Calgary-based columnist business sense. If there aren’t these three During a recent Calgary luncheon, and writer whose stories appear regularly elements, I’m out.” where Jackson and his wife were invited in Canwest newspapers countrywide. People, he goes on to explain, have a to be recognized for their five-year Gray's articles have also appeared in hard time associating the notion of contribution to Calgary’s Hull Child and Canadian Living, Alberta Views, Utne business with charity. “But if you want Family Services (a private organization Reader and The Globe and Mail.

Degrees spring 2010 19 Love Is A Palace Tom Jackson, 2003

Sometimes I wonder But I don’t understand Why love is a mystery It wasn’t God’s plan If war is the answer Then let’s find something new Look below the surface And search for the truth It’s a wonderful journey That love will provide There is pain . . . that’s a given And dark is the night Love . . . it will rumble Make you weak in the knees You’ll fall and you’ll tumble But love’s glory you’ll see

If you never take no Or what’s done, is done Stand up and be counted There’s a power in one You can’t buy the kingdom Where freedom is found Never lay down Love is a palace And you wear the crown Love is a palace And you wear the crown

One day at a time Life is no free ride Hold on, you will survive One day at a time You’ve got to believe If you keep on trying If you spread your wings There’ll be no denying Even through dark days When the world is crying We will be strong The sun will start shining

If you never take no Or what’s done, is done Stand up and be counted There’s a power in one You can’t buy the kingdom Where freedom is found Never lay down Love is a palace You wear the crown Love is a palace And you wear the crown

Photo by Todd Korol

20 Degrees spring 2010 Hayley Wickenheiser LLD (Honorary)’10 was only 15 years old when she was first selected to the Canadian National Women’s Hockey team. Since then she has been a key member of three gold and one silver Olympic medal winning teams, and six gold and one silver medal winning Women’s World Hockey Championships teams. Considered the best woman hockey player to play the game, the Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, native was also a member of Canada’s women’s Olympic softball team in 2000. “Wick” was the first woman to record a point in a men’s professional game and was recently named the 20th toughest athlete in a list of 25 by Sports Illustrated. When she’s not playing hockey, pursuing her BSc at the University of Calgary, riding mountain bike or playing with her son Noah, Wickenheiser is giving back by donating time and effort to such charitable organizations as KidSport, Dreams Take Flight, Clean Air Champions and Right to Play, an athlete-driven humanitarian organization. (Photo by Todd Korol.)

D What does receiving an honorary D Has the Olympics lost its integrity degree from the University of Regina by including pro athletes? mean to you? I think the pro athletes that compete Growing up in Saskatchewan, it has are humbled by the commitment and great meaning. My mom attended the dedication of the other athletes and U of R and went back when I was nine don't see themselves above anyone years old to finish her teaching degree. else. I think they add a great I have fond memories of visiting her as entertainment factor to the games she lived in residence there while we and, to me, the Olympics are about lived in Shaunavon. It was a hard time best on best, so if they are the best, for her to be away from us, but she they should be there. taught us about sacrifice and the value of education. So, receiving an honorary degree from the U of R has D Sports Illustrated named you one great personal meaning for me. of the top 25 toughest athletes. What is it that makes you so tough?

D What would you tell a young Growing up in Saskatchewan! athlete about the value of education? Seriously, it was my upbringing and spending time on my grandpa’s farm Education opens you up to many and learning the value of hard work possibilities. Our athletic careers don’t and dedication at a very young age. last forever, and we need something to Nothing was ever handed to me; I fall back on. While athletics has worked for it all, and many times allowed me to travel and receive an against the odds, so I think that’s why. invaluable education of the world, academics can never be fully replaced and should be a priority for all D What does your son Noah bring athletes. to your life that you don’t get in the Olympic or professional hockey spotlight? D What is your fondest hockey moment? Perspective. He doesn't care if we win or lose, if I score or don't score; all he There are two — winning gold in Salt wants to do is play Lego and ride Lake City in 2002 and winning the gold bikes. He finds hockey boring and this year in Vancouver in front of brings books to read during my Canadians. games, even gold medal games, and I love him for it!

Degrees spring 2010 21 Point F o cal

Sean Woodruff Whalley MA’00 was born in St. Catharines, Ontario. Located in the “Golden Horseshoe,” St. Catharines was once part of the largest broad-leaf forest in the world, a fact that influences much of Whalley’s work. Between his BFA from York University in Toronto and an MFA from the University of Regina in 2000, he pursued the old-world technologies of blacksmithing and coopering. Whalley has lived and worked in Regina since 1997. He currently teaches sculpture in the Department of Visual Arts at the University of Regina.

What is the intrigue of abandonment? If abandoned, what functionally remains? If a sink is left in a derelict kitchen, in an abandoned house, in the middle of an overgrown forested landscape and no one has used it in years, how do we define its new role? Though lost or forgotten, function is often intact. This curiosity stems from an interest in human remains, not the actual physical body, the other stuff, the strata that surrounds us.

22 Degrees spring 2010 Point F o cal

Nostalgia plays a key role in this investigation. Progress in time seems to be a constant chase with the ghosts of the past continually before us. The playgrounds and play equipment, drive-in theatres and abandoned homes visible in this body of work have been discovered by the desire to know what was there. While travelling I watch for roads in old towns labelled Theatre Lane, or Movie Road, or Drive-in Street. While in small towns where schools have been closed and the kids have left I watch for the children playing signs. In remote areas it is the single fence post, an unused culvert overgrown with trees and other house-specific indicators that tell me someone once lived in that thicket and bushy undergrowth.

Degrees spring 2010 23 Point F o cal

An even greater motivator in photographing these things is capturing something that may never exist again. As populations become increasingly urbanized and small towns lose their residents and their doctors and their stores and their youth these things are being forgotten, their stories lost.

I prefer to use a medium-format camera. The camera was made in the 50s. It captures a square image so the relationship between portraiture and landscape receives equal attention, a balanced symmetry. University of Regina photographer Don Hall sold me this camera, which has significance to me since Don, much like former Visual Arts faculty member Dennis Evans, pushed me into taking photography to another level, away from the traditional format of the 35 mm camera. More nostalgia, I suppose.

24 Degrees spring 2010 Point F o cal

Though I do use a digital camera, there is a quality to film that continues to hold my interest. For instance, in the playground photograph where a huge excavator is visible in the background, I had one chance to document the scene because the next day the whole park would be gone. With a film camera, there is a chance something will go wrong, that the exposure may be off or that the film may not turn out and that is exciting. Memories are slippery and sometimes the thing that makes them precious is just that. The possibility of losing them makes them even more precious.

When documenting subjects things, the other important element for me is to never touch or tamper with the subject and to use existing lighting, no flash, no deflector and no cropping when they are printed. In truth, I have more images that are useless. It is the ones that work, despite these restrictions, that are able enough to capture these remains.

Degrees spring 2010 25 Whether it’s counselling people traumatized by an earthquake, distributing relief funds to families who have lost their homes, or helping an autistic boy learn how to read, U of R humanitarians are making a difference all over the world.

A man takes a break while looking for salvageable items from the rubble of a collapsed building in the aftermath of the powerful January 12, 2010 earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) bord26 Degrees spring 2010 ers By B.D. Miller BA(Hons)’89, BJ’95 Photos by University of Regina Photography Department and courtesy of Serena La Posta.

Whenever and wherever people are in need around whole thing pretty much in ruins was a shocker. Almost no the globe, there’s likely to be a member of the buildings were left untouched, and most of them you T University of Regina community nearby, doing couldn’t enter (because of structural damage).” whatever they can to help. At the clinics in Port-au-Prince where Owens worked, the Katherine Owens BA(Hons)’98, MA’01, PhD’08 works as a patients were first assessed by one of the medical doctors on senior psychologist for the Regina-Qu’Appelle Health District, site. Whenever one of the doctors felt someone could benefit and is a three-time U of R graduate, as well as a professional from talking to a psychologist, they were referred to Owens. associate with the Department of Psychology and an adjunct During her 10 days in Haiti, she helped people who were professor with the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. suffering from a variety of conditions, from grief to Following the devastating magnitude 7.0 earthquake in depression to people with pre-existing conditions such as Haiti on January 12 of this year, Owens read about a non- dementia and schizophrenia who no longer had access to a profit Canadian organization called Humanity First that was doctor and required medication. But most of the people she doing relief work in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. She helped were suffering from anxiety. e-mailed for more information and the organization got back “People had lots of anxiety symptoms, which makes to her right away, advising that they could use a psychologist perfect sense given the situation,” she says. “Symptoms such as part of their ongoing relief efforts in Haiti. as palpitations and nausea and difficulty sleeping. A lot of “They asked if I wanted to go on the next rotation, and I people thought it was something physical.” said ‘absolutely,’” Owens recalls. A few days later, after With the help of volunteer interpreters who spoke both booking an unpaid leave of absence with her employer, Creole and English, Owens was able to reassure her patients Owens was sleeping in a tent amid the rubble of Port-au- that what they were experiencing was normal, given the Prince and doing her best to help the people there recover circumstances, and was not caused by a more serious, life- from the psychological trauma of the earthquake and threatening condition. “They thought something was wrong, repeated aftershocks. that they were going to have a heart attack or something. So “It was a bit overwhelming at first,” Owens says. “It’s a a lot of what I did was just education as far as what’s normal huge city, a city of nearly a million people, and to see the in that situation and what’s not.” A community without

bordersDegrees spring 2010 27 Left: University of Regina Faculty of Social Work professor Miguel Sanchez was in his native Chile when a powerful earthquake rocked the country. He stayed past his scheduled departure to help with relief efforts. Right: Third-year Education student Serena La Posta traveled to Calcutta, India to volunteer with the Missions of Charity, the Roman Catholic religious order established by Mother Teresa in 1950.

Owens estimates that she assessed and counselled more a job, so they spent their time volunteering at the camps with than 200 people during her time in Port-au-Prince, including us. Every day they’d go back to their sheet in the park where 40 patients during one especially hectic afternoon. they were living and they’d wash their clothes and lay them Complicating her work was the fact that some of the usual flat so they would look nice and well pressed when they strategies for coping with or reducing anxiety—such as came to volunteer the next day. They really stood out for me eating well and trying to get regular sleep—aren’t always because they weren’t much older than my own child.” possible in a city that was recently devastated by an About the time that Owens returned to Regina from Haiti earthquake and continues to experience worrisome near the end of February, another catastrophe struck another aftershocks. “When people don’t have food and they’re part of the world—an 8.8 magnitude earthquake centred off sleeping in a park or on the road, those suggestions (of eating the coast of Chile. and sleeping well) are suddenly a lot less useful,” Owens says. Miguel Sanchez, an Associate Professor with the U of R’s “But other suggestions like trying to stick with your family Faculty of Social Work, was already in Chile at the time, group, talking to people who are meaningful to you, getting a taking a holiday in the country of his birth, and also bit of exercise, trying to do enjoyable things—those were still advancing the U of R’s ongoing collaboration with useful for people.” Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana (UTEM), located in Some of the people who Owens counselled about anxiety Santiago. were other relief volunteers from Canada and the United The Chilean earthquake struck in the middle of the night States. “Some of the volunteers hadn’t ever been away from on February 27, and Sanchez remembers being woken by the their own country,” she says. “We were so far away, in a sound, even though he was staying more than 200 kilometers completely different culture, and it was a bit overwhelming from the earthquake’s epicentre, near the northern coastal for some people. Working in disaster conditions can be city of Algarrobo. difficult for anybody.” “The sound hits you first, then the movement comes after While Owens was in Haiti, there were two major that,” Sanchez says. “I knew it was a bad earthquake aftershocks—giving her firsthand insight into the anxiety an immediately. I knew the shaking would come.” earthquake and its aftermath can cause. “One of the The earthquake didn’t destroy any buildings in the part of aftershocks was fairly big and about 10 seconds long. I hadn’t Chile where Sanchez was staying, but other regions weren’t experienced an earthquake before, and it was definitely a bit as fortunate. Thirty kilometres away, a tsunami struck of a scare. It happened in the middle of the night, and we all Llolleo. “In some places, 80 per cent of the towns or villages ran out of the tent into the middle of the road.” were leveled,” he says. “The destruction was just incredible. The selfless dedication of the local volunteer interpreters All the adobe construction came down.” is one of Owens’s abiding memories from her time in Haiti. Sanchez has many family members living in Chile in “They were these young guys (in their late teens), and they regions that were hit by the earthquake. None of his relatives didn’t have a school anymore, and they didn’t have a home or was seriously hurt, but there were a few close calls. “The

28 Degrees spring 2010 Katherine Owens BA(Hons)’98, MA’01, PhD’08 offered her professional skills to help the Canadian nonprofit organization Humanity First deliver relief to earthquake ravaged Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

home of one of my sisters came down,” he reports. “She was polluted the Tinguiririca River. “The fish were left without sleeping in her room and the sound and the movement came, oxygen, so lots of big trout came up to the surface and people and they got out of the house. When they came back, all the were capturing them without having to fight with them,” walls (had collapsed) on the bed in which they’d been Sanchez says. “So they had a fish frying event for three days sleeping, and the house was on the ground. It was an adobe after the earthquake, where the people got together and they house, and those were the most vulnerable.” fried and they ate all of these fish that were coming out of the Following the earthquake, the Regina Chilean-Canadian river.” Cultural Society collected money to assist with the relief The relief efforts are continuing in Chile, and Sanchez is efforts, and the University of Regina Faculty Association now helping to raise money to buy 600 construction panels (URFA) and many private donors also contributed. Sanchez to build homes for Chileans who lost almost everything in made sure the funds went to people who were most in need. the earthquake. Many of these families are still sleeping in “URFA sent us money to donate to the college of social tents with the Chilean winter approaching. workers in Chile, because two social workers had been killed Meanwhile, Serena La Posta, a third-year Education and 10 social workers lost their entire homes.” Sanchez also student at the U of R, travelled to yet another part of the helped distribute money raised by the Regina Chilean world to help people in need. She recently spent seven weeks community and by friends of that community by doing in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, as part of a group mission with assessments of different families that had lost their homes eight other women that was arranged by Face to Face and possessions in the earthquake. “We bought refrigerators, Ministries of Saskatoon. stoves and construction materials, and donated them to La Posta and the other group members arrived in Kolkata seven families in a direct way.” in the first week of January to volunteer with the Sanchez was overwhelmed by the generosity of Canadian Missionaries of Charity, the Roman Catholic religious order people in the wake of the Chilean earthquake. “The solidarity that was established in 1950 by Mother Teresa. that the Canadian people expressed with Chile was La Posta volunteered in a home called Daya Dan, which is unbelievable,” he says. “We know how generous Canadian run by the Missionaries of Charity for orphans aged 3 to 18 people are. They had just donated lots of money to Haiti, yet with mental and physical disabilities. La Posta helped with the Chilean catastrophe comes and there are still lots of the laundry, made beds and helped the children get dressed people willing to donate.” and eat, among other daily chores. She also taught an autistic In the midst of the destruction, the Chilean people did boy named Dilip, whom she estimates was about 10 years their best to persevere despite difficult and sometimes bizarre old, for up to two hours each day depending on his attention circumstances. Sanchez reports that the wine industry in span. She helped Dilip with arts and crafts, as well as with Chile’s Colchagua Valley was badly hit by the earthquake, numbers and reading. and one of the peculiar results was that millions of litres of “He was very good artistically, and working with his wine from damaged riverside containers temporarily hands,” La Posta says. “He could walk and move normally and

Degrees spring 2010 29 In cases of natural disaster, war, famine, injustice or extreme poverty, it’s the world's children who most suffer. Campion College student Serena La Posta travelled to India to volunteer for the Missionaries of Charity, the Roman Catholic religious order established by Mother Teresa in 1950. La Posta worked in Daya Dan, a home for orphans with mental and physical disabilities. Despite the abject poverty, La Posta says the joyous spirit of the people, like these three children in a Calcutta street, always shone bright. (Photo by Amy Borges.)

looked like a normal kid. But speech was something he had I was doing — washing clothes, or helping a little boy eat. difficulty with. He didn’t know any English, but he started to But doing those small things with great love does have pick up a few words before I left.” meaning, even if it seems like it goes unnoticed. Because During her time in Kolkata, La Posta was often confronted someone’s benefiting from it, and God notices.” by abject poverty, but she says the people of the city do their One of La Posta’s most cherished memories of her time in best to rise above their circumstances. “The train station in Kolkata was meeting Sister Barbara, who was one of the first Kolkata is where a lot of the worst poverty is located,” she 20 Sisters to join Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. says. “People make little homes along the railroad tracks. And “We got to meet her on a couple of occasions, and she just we did have some families outside of our guesthouse that seemed like such a reflection of Mother Teresa,” La Posta says. lived on the sidewalk. But it didn’t shock me as much as I “Being in Sister Barbara’s presence is one of the most amazing thought it would. The poor in Kolkata are very joyful. The memories for me. She’s probably the closest person to a saint people have very little, but what they do have they use, and that I’ll ever meet.” D they’re very resourceful with everything they own.” While in Kolkata, La Posta stayed at a residence called B.D. Miller (BJ ’95, BA Hons. ’89) is a Regina-based playwright, Monica House, near Mother House, where the tomb of fiction, and non-fiction writer whose work has appeared in Mother Teresa is laid. La Posta visited Mother House at least numerous magazines and anthologies and on CBC radio. His two- twice a day, for morning Mass and evening prayers, passing act comedy, Balance of Power, will receive a workshop and staged Mother Teresa’s tomb on her way to and from the chapel. “It’s reading as part of the Saskatchewan Playwright Centre’s 2010 a raised tomb and the Sisters decorate it with flower petals Spring Festival of New Plays. every day,” she recalls. “They take a lot of pride in the fact that her tomb is in their home, and they take very good care of it.” Donations to Chilean relief can be dropped off or La Posta says she learned the spirit of Mother Teresa’s sent to the University of Regina Faculty Association work during her seven weeks in Kolkata, and found the (Campion College, Room 122.2, 3737 Wascana Parkway, experience profoundly moving and inspirational. One of the S4S 0A2). Cheques are payable to Regina Chilean biggest lessons that La Posta learned was to “do small things Canadian Cultural Society. For donations to Haitian with great love,” which was a favorite saying of Mother earthquake relief visit the Humanity First website at: Teresa’s. “We didn’t do great things while we were in www.humanityfirst.ca. For more information on Face to Kolkata,” La Posta says. “Anybody could have done what Face Ministries visit its website at: www.f2f.ca.

30 Degrees spring 2010 Although his heart was set on joining the Royal Canadian Air Force, the end of WWII forced Chancellor William F. Ready, QC, LLD (Honorary)’89 to consider another job option. By his own admission, it turned out that practising law was a pretty good career decision. Eventually Ready became senior partner in one of the oldest law firms in Saskatchewan — McDougall Ready (now McDougall Gauley). With his recent three-year reappointment, Chancellor Ready will continue to serve the University. How much does he enjoy his role as Chancellor? As Ready says himself, “I can honestly say that if this was my day job, I would be happy to go to work every day.”

D What do you miss most from your D What about you would people time practising law? find most surprising?

The opportunity to use my training to In August of 1997, a son, grandson help people with legal problems. Also, and I hiked the Chilkoot Trail, the I miss my association in day-to-day gateway into the Yukon and the dealings with other lawyers and the Klondike Gold Rush. Someone judiciary. Notwithstanding the described it as “the meanest 32 miles derogatory myths about lawyers, law in history.” Our backpacks were loaded is an honourable profession and I am with a tent, stove, water purifier, proud to have been a practising sleeping bags, enough food to last for member of the Law Society of five days and, oh yes, bear spray, just Saskatchewan for nearly 50 years. in case. When we finished the hike, I felt like my “Mount Everest” had been conquered. D Which of your accomplishments have made you most proud? D Describe your perfect day. I am most proud to have served my profession and the public, ably and It would be at our lake. It would be with integrity; to have taken an active sunny and warm and the lake would part in many volunteer and charitable be like glass. My wife and I and our organizations whose purposes were children would be hosting “The for the betterment of society; and with Annual,” a get together with my my wife, to have raised and brother and his wife and their children. successfully educated five children. There would be all-day activities— swimming, water skiing, golf, horseback riding, badminton— topped D You served as a trustee for the off with an evening barbecue on the Regina Board of Education for patio. After dinner the patio fireplace 11 years. What attracted you to would be lit and the evening would be running for the position in the first marked with a continuance of place? conversation and laughter until later in the evening when it was time for each My mother and father were both to cook bannock over the open fire committed to see to it that my brother, and dress it up with butter and jam. two sisters and I were educated to the After everyone has drifted away to best of our ability. All of us graduated bed, to sit by the fire with my wife and from the University of Saskatchewan. watch the embers slowly turn from red With this background, when the to grey, and then to say to her, “That opportunity to run for election as a was a perfect day.” trustee arose, it was natural for me to seek such election.

Degrees spring 2010 31 By Bill Armstrong Photos by University of Regina Photography Department.

Open to possibilities

The connections between the University of Regina and iQmetrix run deep. Pictured here is (left to right) Ken Konkel BSc(Hons)’06, MSc’08; Rory Cain; Corey Butz BSc’93, MSc’96, PhD’00; and, Scott McGillvray BAdmin’92, MBA’99.

32 Degrees spring 2010 To say that the U of R has a symbiotic relationship with iQmetrix would be an understatement. Almost from the day it was established, the firm has drawn from the University’s faculty, student and administrative ranks to help make it a dominant supplier of e-business software to wireless retailers in Canada and the United States. Expect even more collaboration in the future.

The U of R Open to possibilities iQmetrix Connection

“I’m looking for more people like and adopted the RetailiQ retail most profitable independent wireless that!” management program in 1999. retailers in the country. And, in the “I’m looking for more people like “Chris had been building behind-the-scenes world of software that, too!” spreadsheets so everyone could see on a development and data hosting, That’s the essence of a recent monthly basis how they had performed iQmetrix has quietly become the conversation between Cory Butz, a in relation to others,” Cain explains. “He dominant supplier of ebusiness faculty member in the U of R developed the idea of automating those software to wireless retailers in Canada Department of Computer Science, and processes so that the information would and the United States. Regina remains Rory Cain, the vice-president of Product be available in real time, so that people the company’s founding office and a Development for iQmetrix, based in could assess their own performance and key centre for product development. Regina. Butz is always on the lookout in relation to others.” The company has also established for bright students who can employ From that first product, iQmetrix offices in Winnipeg, Vancouver and, by their skills in the research lab while was born. The RetailiQ product went acquiring a competitor, Charlotte, Cain is constantly on the hunt for through three versions before being North Carolina. emerging talents who can take their renamed RQ4 when the fourth version As iQmetrix has prospered and research and classroom learning and was released in 2009. It now offers expanded, so has the association apply it in the marketplace. integrated modules that feed between the company and the For the University and iQmetrix, the information used by wireless retailers to University. It’s been mutually rewarding situation is part tug-of-war over talent make better business decisions, manage for both parties, with students, and part productive partnership, staffing levels and empower their sales instructors and administrators filling although at this point it’s still an staff to concentrate on customer service. specific roles with iQmetrix or, in the informal one. To appreciate the nature Cain describes it as “an ecosystem of case of Scott McGillivray, finding a new and scope of the relationship, rewind products and services” built around the career beckoning. back to 1990 when two brothers from core RQ4 product. iQmetrix leases the McGillivray lectured in Strategic Regina, Chris and Greg Krywulak, software to its clients and hosts their Marketing in the Faculty of Business founded Jump.ca to sell cellular phones data, which clients access from their Administration after receiving his and Internet services in Saskatchewan point-of-sale terminals or executive bachelor and MBA degrees from the U of and Manitoba. As the last entrant in a offices. R. At the same time, he was working on competitive market Jump.ca did well, Thanks in part to RetailiQ and RQ4, marketing projects for iQmetrix. While but it really took off when it developed Jump.ca is now considered one of the he loved teaching, by 2003 he

Degrees spring 2010 33 Left: Cain and McGillvray discuss marketing strategies in Cain’s Regina office. Centre: Konkel gives an early morning pep talk to covers the day’s agenda with his Regina team of programmers. Right: University of Regina Computer Science faculty member Daryl Hepting.

recognized that he’d have to choose one can tell our students, ‘This is how Konkel joined iQmetrix in December or the other. information technology works, and 2007, and is now the company’s Core “I loved the enthusiasm of the here’s a local company that is a world Development team lead. The IPS students to explore new ideas and leader in the markets where it program allowed him to focus on his challenge conventional theory,” says competes.’ It’s tangible, exciting and studies while gaining valuable McGillivray. “On the other hand, being accessible,” adds Hepting, who also notes experience and insight into a involved in a rapidly growing business is that iQmetrix marketing manager Tara competitive software development exhilarating. When I joined the Bartlett and Corporate Intelligence company. He’s now looking for students company in 2003, we could all fit around director Debbie Mills are also U of R to partner with iQmetrix through the the board room table and we had fewer grads. federally funded MITACS program, than 20 clients,” recalls McGillivray, who Cain estimates that about one third which cost-shares the salaries of young is now vice-president of Marketing, of employees in the Regina office have scholars with high-tech companies to based in Vancouver. The company has connections with the U of R. This nurture more cross-fertilization between grown to about 120 employees, and is includes co-op and summer students academia and industry. looking for more. who are able to acquire a range of “I hope, through the MITACS In late 2005, former U of R president experiences while working as members program, to give students opportunities David Barnard joined iQmetrix, serving of a project team with the company. If a similar to my own,” Konkel says, “and as president and CEO of a subsidiary student has the right mix of skills and is also identify potential candidates who company, iQmedX. The healthcare a good fit with the company’s values, could be successful at iQmetrix.” systems company was later sold, but Cain says, they could be offered a job at Konkel, who grew up in Moosomin, Cain doesn’t rule out the possibility of iQmetrix. Saskatchewan, adds that to be able to getting back into the field in the future. One such student is Ken Konkel, who work for a forward-thinking company, While the company was in existence, appreciates the money and the and not have to move to the west coast, iQmedX worked with U of R professor experience he gained during co-op work is very satisfying. “I’m able to get that Sylvain Charlebois to develop a real- terms with iQmetrix while he big-world experience right here in world experience for students in his completed his undergraduate degree in Regina.” International Marketing course. Teams Computer Science, with a minor in Cain hints that Konkel’s positive of students were tasked to develop and Mathematics. With Butz as his advisor, experience may be the start of present plans to market the company’s Konkel worked with iQmetrix under a something bigger. With support from products to U.S. healthcare companies. national Industrial Post-graduate MITACS, Cain also hopes to find more Six students then travelled to the U.S. to Scholarship (IPS) program, while areas in which the research interests of gather first-hand information from completing his master’s degree in graduate students align with iQmetrix’s healthcare companies to further refine Bayesian theory. research and development activities. their plan, supported by a $10,000 “Bayesian networks can be very “We’ve shared success with students contribution from iQmedX. powerful in presenting information experiencing co-op work terms, and During his sabbatical year in based on possibility. They support summer and part-time opportunities 2007–2008, professor of Computer decision-making where all of the with iQmetrix,” Cain says. “I think the Science Daryl Hepting spent time information may not be available, as is business offers many different working on different projects at often the case in business,” notes Butz. possibilities in the future, and we’re iQmetrix as scientist in residence. Bayesian reasoning could also make it talking with the Computer Science profs Besides exploring some process and easier for salespeople or call centre about ways in which we can formalize implementation issues, Hepting representatives using the RQ4 product to the relationship. Expect to see an explored ideas for gathering data from sell customers the latest cell phone or announcement when we’ve worked out interactions with customers and users in smartphone best suited to their needs, all the details.” D the iQmetrix call centre and using that the right calling/texting/surfing plans information to improve the software and maybe even some additional bells Bill Armstrong is a freelance writer and and, ultimately, the customer and whistles, based on information amateur photographer with a strong interest experience. provided by the customer. Bayesian in Saskatchewan’s history. “Having iQmetrix in town helps us in theory can be a persuasive behind-the- a number of ways,” Hepting says. “We scenes salesperson.

34 Degrees spring 2010 -PPLJOH
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With programming on two campuses, the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School prepares practitioners and scholars for innovative policy analysis and public management by offering graduate degrees in public administration (MPA), international trade (MIT) and public policy (MPP, PhD), as well as master’s certi cate programs. For more information, visit: www.schoolofpublicpolicy.sk.ca

The University of Regina Alumni Association is accepting applications for the URAA Board of Directors 2010-2011.

Are you interested in serving the University of Regina through Alumni participation? Are you looking for an opportunity to add value to alumni membership? Are you interested in giving back with your professional expertise and committing volunteer hours to the URAA?

Please respond with a resume and letter of how you might serve and contribute to the alumni community.

e-mail:[email protected]

Degrees spring 2010 35 Alumni Association President’s Message It is hard to believe that two a team. The reason for my In addition, the URAA events in Ottawa, Vancouver years of presidency have come choice is quite simple: sharing expanded its children of and Victoria. to an end. I have reflected for the achievements of the past alumni scholarship to include a We are pleased to days as to what to share in my year’s highlights encompasses retention scholarship. This announce the appointment last Degrees message. In my all the previously mentioned scholarship is designed to URAA past president Lisa King teacher voice I hear myself say, topics. recognize students who are to the University of “Choose a theme, brainstorm The Board of Directors children of alumni and have Saskatchewan Senate. Thank and organize your paragraphs invited all of the Association’s demonstrated outstanding you to Byron Traynor who has accordingly.” However, how past presidents to an event scholarship and service to the served as the URAA U of S could I condense an held at the Hotel University of Regina during Senate representative for the experience that has lasted Saskatchewan. President their first year of study. This past three years. Your time and longer than my first Timmons shared positive scholarship aligns with the dedication are greatly undergraduate degree — six highlights from the University goals of the UR Guarantee appreciated. years! and I presented the history of program. Finally, the URAA has The URAA will have five I could begin with the the Association. revised the Dr. John Archer vacant positions for 2010–2011. educational side — explaining Engaging the past Scholarship to reflect the Thank you to the following how being part of the URAA presidents in a consultative student retention priorities of directors who have blessed the Board of Directors has manner to assist with key the University. association with their time and provided professional strategic issues will only The Board of Directors also talents: past president Loni understanding and knowledge strengthen the Association. It is completed revisions to the Kauffman and directors Neil that I could not have obtained gratifying to know that so Association by-laws. Many Jacoby, Paul Owens and Shawn through teaching alone. But, many community leaders share hours of debate were devoted Pearce, all of whom have this would omit the a common trait — the title of completed their terms. to updating current practices. professional relationships I URAA past president. All A special note of thanks to The by-laws will be voted on have had in the process. University of Regina alumni second vice-president Margaret at the Annual General Meeting I could easily write about benefit from the vision, Dagenais who will be resigning on June 24, 2010. the supportive alumni who fundraising and student and accepting an appointment The Association renewed its have encouraged me or the support the past presidents to represent the URAA at the contracts with our Affinity friendships I have made. have initiated. Graduates University of Regina Senate. partners and established a new Perhaps I could boast about receive many benefits from the Her leadership in scholarships committee that will investigate the Board of Directors — all of Alumni Association due to the has greatly enhanced the further revenue sources for the whom are filled with leadership hard work of committed URAA. experience and dedication. individuals. Each past URAA. As well, the URAA is I encourage all alumni to Maybe summarizing Board president has enhanced the pleased to be a participant in consider becoming involved projects, new Board Association through their the University of Regina with the University of Regina committees and new initiatives management, guidance and Campus Master Plan. Alumni Association. It is a should be the subject of my dedication to students and The URAA supported many wonderful experience to work last message. alumni. student and athletic events with a team that shares such Clearly, the number of The URAA continues its throughout the year. Every year vision and dedication to the possible topics illustrates the objective of supporting student it is wonderful to be a part of University Regina. Check us out rewarding experience I have scholarships. This year, the Welcome Week, the Alumni online at www.uregina.ca/ encountered in the past six Association established a new Crowing Achievement Awards, alumni. years. student retention scholarship the Alumni Slam Dunk, the So, my final decision is to honouring Dr. Jim Tomkins for Faculty Awards of Excellence Charlene Banjac share what the Board of students in the Faculty of and convocation. This year we Directors has accomplished as Science. participated in alumni outreach

36 Degrees spring 2010 We depend on our readers to at the Royal Columbian Lezley Zwaal BSc’74 is the CEO of Springboard West send us items for Class Notes. Hospital since 1980 and is founder of Quilts of Valour- Innovations after a Please e-mail your information director of Laboratory Services Canada Society, an apolitical distinguished career in the to [email protected], or at Simon Fraser Health Region organization whose mission is United States. Among her send the old fashioned way to and the Fraser Health Authority. to recognize the bravery and accomplishments, she held our mailing address (see He has also held numerous commitment of Canadian executive roles in two page 3). Digital photos must leadership positions on Armed Forces personnel. The manufacturing and information be of sufficient quality to medical-related committees as organization accomplishes this technology start-up companies appear in the magazine. well as with community and by presenting injured soldiers that grew into global firms. Please note that Degrees is volunteer organizations. returning from overseas duty She also served in advisory also posted on our website. with a quilt. As of December roles with the investment firm 2009, Quilts of Valour-Canada Mesa Ventures and American Society had presented more Production and Inventory 1960–1969 1970–1979 than 500 quilts. Control Society and the Los Alamos National Laboratory Joanne Crofford BA’68 was Gerhard Toews BA’70 was Barbara Pollock BA’75, BEd’77 Office of Commercialization. awarded the 2010 Regina appointed to Queen’s Counsel was recognized by YWCA Woman of Distinction in British Columbia in 2002 Saskatchewan Business Larry McHenry BA’78, BEd’83 Lifetime Achievement Award. and is a Life Bencher of the Magazine as a Woman of received a 2009 University of She served as a Saskatchewan Law Society of British Influence in its January 2010 Texas National Institute for MLA representing areas in Columbia. issue. Pollock is vice-president Staff and Organizational northwest Regina and also (External Relations) at the Development (NISOD) spent many years working for, Lynda Mae Bird BA’73 retired University of Regina and a Excellence Award. McHenry also and with, the arts community in 2008 after teaching long-serving professional in the has his TESL and TESOL in Saskatchewan. Crofford was elementary school for 33 years. field of public relations and certificates and is currently one of the founders of the She decided to return to the fundraising. She was named a teaching international Regina Drum Circle, served as theatre and got involved in Fellow of the Canadian Public education at Selkirk College in the chair or co-chair of past local community theatre Relations Society in 2006 and Castlegar, B.C. Cathedral Village Arts Festivals organizing and directing The was recognized by the and headed a review of the Vagina Monologues, a Association of Fundraising Saskatchewan arts industry in fundraising effort that raised Professionals as Outstanding 2006. $4,000 for a women’s shelter Fundraising Executive for 2008. 1980–1989 and women in the Democratic Arun K.Garg MSc’68 received Republic of the Congo. In Stuart Appenheimer BA’76 David Kyle BAJ&C’82 has been the Wallace Wilson Leadership March she was part of a five- celebrated the 30-year appointed the new executive Award in 2009. The award is woman cast in John Murell’s anniversary of his ordination director of the Saskatchewan presented annually to a production Waiting for the as a Minister of the United Arts Board. Kyle is the former graduate of the Faculty of Parade. Bird and her husband, Church of Canada in 2009. He regional director of CBC Radio Medicine at UBC who has David, have travelled across has served his Richmond, B.C., and Television in Saskatchewan demonstrated high ethical Canada and in 2009 went to congregation for 21 years. and has served on several standards and outstanding Spain and walked the Camino arts-related volunteer boards, leadership to the profession. de Santiago, a 650-kilometre Susan Gorges BEd’78 was including the Regina Symphony Garg, a clinical professor of trek. During the 37-day trip, recognized by Saskatchewan Orchestra. pathology, has been on the they made friends from all over Business Magazine as a UBC clinical faculty in the world. Woman of Influence in its Pathology since 1981. He has January 2010 issue. Gorges practised medial biochemistry returned to Saskatchewan as

Degrees spring 2010 37 On March 8, the University of Regina Alumni Association hosted past presidents at the Hotel Saskatchewan. The event, themed “Remember and Reconnect,” provided an opportunity for the URAA Board to reconnect to it past presidents and to honour their contributions to the Association over the years. Alumni Association president Charlene Banjac proposed the creation of a URAA past presidents council as a way for the Association to reach out to communities in service and support of the University of Regina. Engaging the past presidents as a consultative group to assist with key strategic issues will only strengthen the Association. Past president Greg Swanson has been appointed to the URAA for one year to further explore this initiative.

Back row (left to right): Randy Beattie BAdmin’82, Loni Kaufmann BAdmin’95, Terry Mann BAdmin’84, CPR’89, MHRD’03, Gary Bosgoed BASc’83, Garth Fredrickson BA’79, Greg Swanson BAdmin’76. Middle row (left to right): Mark Stefan BAdmin’84, Charlie Baldock BAdmin’74, Brian Munro BAdmin’96, BA’96. Front row (left to right): Matt Hanson BA’94, BAdmin’97, Leslie Ciz BAdmin’93, Lydia Bramham BEd’74, Irene May-Henke BA’78, Lisa King BPAS’95.

Elizabeth Raum MMus’84 Amy Jo Ehman BAJ&C’85 is a Connie L. Gault BA’86 received Jacklynn Holmes (nee received the Outstanding freelance writer based in the Saskatchewan Book Award Rogowski) BAdmin’88 received Contribution to the Arts “Living Saskatoon. She is a food in the Fiction Award category her MBA from the University of the Arts” Award at the 2010 columnist for the Saskatoon for her book Euphoria: A Novel. Phoenix in 2007. She is a Mayor’s Arts and Business Star Phoenix and Prairies North manager with Bridgewater Awards in Regina. Magazine and is heard on CBC Milton Tootoosis BA’87 had his Bank and also teaches Radio. Her first book, Prairie accreditation as a Professional business online at the Kevin Jaques BA’84 has Feast: A Writer’s Journey Home Aboriginal Economic Developer University of Calgary. operated Jaques Law Office in for Dinner, launched last (PAED) recognized and granted Regina since 1988. He has month, is published by Coteau in 2009 by the Council for the Lisa Moen (nee Oxelgren) served as chair of the Books of Regina. Advancement for Native BA’89, BAdmin’92 obtained her Canadian Bar Association Development Officers (CANDO). CFA (Chartered Financial South Saskatchewan Real Tracey Bakkeli BAdmin’86 was Tootoosis is currently employed Analyst) in 2000. She is Estate and Wills and Estates recognized by Saskatchewan as the livelihood and economic working at an investment Section for several years. He Business Magazine as a independence co-ordinator for company as a director and was president of the Macintosh Woman of Influence in its the Office of The Treaty product specialist. She is Users Group of Regina and a January 2010 issue. After Commissioner. married and has two children. member of the Regina Mensa earning an MBA, she group. He volunteers established a Regina-based Greta Ober BA’87 is a research extensively with the Public business consulting practice. librarian at the International Legal Education Association She played a key advisory role Monetary Fund in Washington, 1990–1999 and moderately with Scouts in restructuring RREDA before D.C. She is the president of Canada and Big Brothers. He is joining its Board and, the D.C. Chapter, Special Wilfred Burton BA’90 and Anne married to Paula Sostorics. The ultimately, becoming a Libraries Association (SLA) and Patton BEd’87, MEd’99 couple have two children, a founding member of the past chair of the SLA Social received the Saskatchewan son and a daughter, both of Regina Regional Opportunities Science Division. Ober is Book Award in the Award for whom are attending the U of R Commission. married to Stephan Publishing category, the First through Campion College. Beauchesne and they have two Peoples’ Publishing Award David Carpenter BEd’86 children. She worked at the category, and the First Peoples’ Chris Hamilton BEd’85 received received the Saskatchewan U of R Library while a student, Writing Award category for the Innovation in the Arts Book Award in the Saskatoon and then went to McGill where their book Dancing in My Award at the 2010 Mayor’s Arts Book award category for his she received a master’s degree Bones. and Business Awards in novel Niceman Cometh. in Library and Information Regina. Sciences.

38 Degrees spring 2010 Donna Easto BSW’91 owns an Downtown Business Dwight G. Newman BA’96 has event staging and management Improvement District and an written Duty to Consult: New 2000–2010 company in the Okanagan executive with a provincial Relationships with Aboriginal Valley. Crown Corporation. Peoples (Purich Publishing). Patrick Cherneski MSc’00 The book outlines the idea achieved his Project Frank Fowlie BHJ’92 is the Jo-Ann Episkenew BA’91, that governments must consult Management Professional ombudsman for the Internet BAHC’92, MA’94 received the with Aboriginal people before status in December 2008. He Corporation for Assigned Saskatchewan Book Award in proceeding with developments continues to work in the area Names and Numbers (ICANN). the Scholarly Writing Award that might affect or impact of policy development for ICANN was formed in 1998. It category for her book Taking their rights. Agriculture Canada. is a not-for-profit public-benefit Back Our Spirits: Indigenous corporation with participants Literature, Public Policy and Darryl Yasinowski BAdmin’97 from all over the world Healing. provides customized June Zimmer BEd’01, CA’03, dedicated to keeping the investment management BA’04, MSc’06, who founded Internet secure, stable and Souhail Soujah BEd’94 moved services for all forms of Girls in the Game, was interoperable. It promotes to Yellowknife, N.W.T., in registered and non-registered awarded the 2010 Regina competition and develops November 2009 as vice- investment accounts for YWCA Woman of Distinction policy on the Internet’s unique principal of St. Patrick High individuals and corporations. Award in Wellness, Recreation identifiers. School. Originally from and Healthy Living. Lebanon, he lived in Venezuela Jacob (Ed) Lehman BEd’98 and Linda Hornung BEd’92 taught for 10 years before moving to his wife Heather Crichlow are Vanessa Chesters (nee core French from kindergarten Canada. His last teaching teaching in Kazakhstan for a Stewart) BAdmin’04 celebrated to Grade 8, and was a middle position was in Whistler and third year starting this August. her 10th wedding anniversary years classroom teacher for a prior to that in Golden, B.C. last May. She and her husband total of 30 years. She was Regina Maria Furkert HLTC’99, Stewart have two sons, Drew, involved in professional Mary Kolitsas HLTC’94 was BA’02 is teaching German as a age five, and Marcus, age two committees and with the local awarded the 2010 Regina sessional lecturer at the and a half. She is pursuing a teachers’ association executive. YWCA Woman of Distinction U of R’s Department of Certified Professional Hornung and her husband, Award for her efforts to create International Languages. She Purchaser designation. Ted, are enjoying life and handbooks and programs to also enjoyed working as an doing a lot of travelling. She preserve cultural heritage. apprentice in a Regina florist Brett Salkeld BEd’04, believes she will return to shop until this spring. BA(Hons)’05 and Leah Perrault teaching in some capacity in Sandra Rollings-Magnusson BA’05 authored How Far Can the near future. The couple BA(Hons)’95, MA’97 has Sandra Fowler BSW’99 was We Go? A Catholic Guide to Sex recently celebrated their 35th published two books. Heavy awarded the 2010 Regina and Dating published in 2009 anniversary. Burdens on Small Shoulders YWCA Woman of Distinction by Novalis press. The book is (published by the University of Award for her contributions to based on presentations they Diane Swanson BAdmin’92 Alberta Press) focusses on the a rural community. Fowler has started giving in the received the Sustained Support importance of child labour on long been involved with her Archdiocese of Regina and the of the Arts Award at the 2010 Canadian prairie homesteads area’s school board, health Diocese of Saskatoon while Mayor’s Arts and Business and Anti-Terrorism: Security and board, Committee to Build a they were still students at Awards in Regina. Insecurity after 9/11 (published Better Community and Terry Campion. This summer, Paulist by Fernwood Publishing) offers Fox Run. will publish an American Gerry Folk BA’92 received the a critical analysis of edition of the book, and a Excellence in Arts Management government policy with regard Polish publisher has recently Award at the 2010 Mayor’s Arts to the Anti-terrorism Act in purchased publishing rights for and Business Awards in Canada and the Patriot Act in a translated edition in Poland. Regina. the U.S. She is currently continuing her research on Michelle Yaskowich BASc Tracy Fahlman BA’93, CA’00 Saskatchewan settlement (Hons)’04 was awarded the was recognized by (funded by a three-year SSHRC) 2010 Regina YWCA Woman of Saskatchewan Business by conducting a gender and Distinction Award in Science, Magazine as a Woman of ethnic analysis of Technology and Environment Influence in its January 2010 Saskatchewan homestead for her work as a issue. Fahlman is the CEO of records. She has also been conservationist as well as her the Regina Hotel Association working in the Sociology dedication in mentoring young and is well known in civic and Department at Grant MacEwan women in the sciences. community circles in Regina. University in Edmonton since She is a former head of the 2002.

Degrees spring 2010 39 Lynda Haverstock Mike Burton BA’08 received Joel Cherry BJ’09 is a Sarah Chan MA’10 was LLD(Honorary)’06 was the prestigious Queen journalist with the Meadow awarded the National Award recognized by Saskatchewan Elizabeth II Scholarship in Lake Progress. After receiving from the Alzheimer Society Business Magazine as a Parliamentary Studies. The his degree he worked in Research Program and will Woman of Influence in its scholarship, in the amount of Nipawin for three months receive $61,590 over three January 2010 issue. Haverstock $20,000, is awarded annually before moving to Meadow years. Chan is in the first year has a PhD in psychology and by the Province of Lake. of the doctoral program in is noted for her work in the Saskatchewan for graduate or Clinical Psychology, and farm stress field. She was post-graduate study of Harrison McNichol BA’09 is working with Thomas leader of the Liberal Party of Saskatchewan politics and undergoing a discernment Hadjistavropoulos at the Saskatchewan, was named as government at either of process at the United Church Health Psychology Laboratory. Queen’s representative as Saskatchewan’s universities. to determine which area of Her main research interests are lieutenant governor of Burton is in his second year of ministry to enter. aging, dementia and pain. Saskatchewan and is currently a master’s of Arts program the CEO of Tourism with a major in Political Saskatchewan. Science at the University of Regina. He is working on Eric Pederson BSc’06 campus as a student recruiter completed a two-year master’s and is a teaching assistant. of Science degree in Biology in August 2009, at Uppsala Sarah Plosker BSc’08 received University in Sweden. He a postgraduate scholarship of currently holds a PhD position $63,000 over three years from there and will continue to live the National Sciences and in Sweden for the next few Engineering Research Council years. of Canada (NSERC) for her research in Mathematics and Kristin Giblett BKin’07 was Statistics at the University of responsible for media Regina starting this fall. transportation systems for the Get the 2010 Olympic Games in Kaitlin Semple BFA’09 received Vancouver this year. the Emerging Artist Award at the 2010 Mayor’s Arts and Business Awards in Regina. job done! Artwork, Design & Layout digital Printing & Copying Large Format Printing Bindery SERVICES Bring in this ad and receive Trusted 10% o your next order.* Financial Advice Rod Tyler, CFP, R.F.P., CLU

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40 Degrees spring 2010 ALUMNI CONNECTING June 24 — Regina U of R alumni can now keep in touch with the University and each other Annual General Meeting and Gathering through Facebook and LinkedIn. Please go to our website at The University of Regina Alumni Association will hold its annual general www.uregina.ca/alumni and look for the icons on the left side of the page meeting on June 24. Following the meeting, alumna Amy Jo Ehman will for access to all of the U of R alumni groups. talk about her year of eating locally and read from her new book Prairie Join a group or form a group — it’s great to keep in touch. Contact the Feast: A Writer’s Journey Home for Dinner. www.uregina.ca/alumni/e-ae.htm Alumni Relations office at uralumni@uregina to add your group to the Alumni Social Media page. Reception with Senator Pamela Wallin Ottawa – September 28 THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION Watch for details! www.uregina.ca/alumni/e-ae.htm Alumni are active and organized in the National Capital Region. In fact, if you live in or around Ottawa please get in touch with the group and let Grey Cup in Edmonton them know you’d like to hear about the next planned activity. You can The 98th Grey Cup game is November 28 in Edmonton. We know our reach them at [email protected]. alumni love to show their Rider Pride! Watch for more details on how you can become involved and meet up with other U of R alumni for the UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS festivities. If you are interested in volunteering, please e-mail Brenda at Your Alumni Relations team and the University of Regina Alumni [email protected]. Details will be posted on our website and sent out Association are busy planning activities in Regina, Ottawa and Edmonton. electronically. If we don’t have your e-mail address, now is the time to Let us know if you would like more information, to help or organize update your information — just go to the icon on our home page something where you live. www.uregina.ca/alumni and add your e-mail address to the form.

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Degrees spring 2010 41 The year of EATING pleasurably By Amy Jo Ehman BAJ&C’85 Photos by University of Regina Photography Department.

For 365 days, Amy Jo Ehman and her husband took on the challenge to put almost nothing on their dinner table that wasn’t grown or raised in Saskatchewan. How did they fare? (No pun intended.) Find out for yourself and maybe inspire your own home-grown culinary journey. Amy Jo Ehman gets an early start on her Saskatoon garden.

It has been said that every journey So I asked John, “What should I call my own kitchen, I was as far removed begins with one step, but my culinary this culinary adventure?” from the source of my food as any journey began with one bite — a bite It was early 2005, before terms urban working gal. of chives to be exact. such as locavore, food miles and the But his words served as a challenge They were the first tiny chives of 100-mile diet had entered the popular — a challenge to prove that it is spring, sprinkled on a hot German lexicon. I needed a quick way to possible, indeed pleasurable, to eat potato salad (my dad’s potatoes) describe it. “Something that captures from the local bounty without served with sausages from the the spirit of the enterprise,” I said. consigning oneself to an endless diet farmers’ market and my mom’s dill He chewed on that for a moment of pork chops, mashed potatoes and pickles. With that first bite of green and then offered his suggestions. saskatoon berry pie. from my garden, my husband John “Monotony,” he said. “Boredom. and I kicked off a year of eating from Privation.” Supper menu #69: Fillets of northern the local bounty. We had pledged I suppose he could be forgiven for pike, baby potatoes, bacon-wrapped that, for 365 days, just about thinking so. We are so accustomed to asparagus and up-side-down rhubarb everything we served at our own buying what we want to eat, when we cake dinner table in Saskatoon would be want to eat it, that it seems almost grown or raised within the four naive to think we could wean I decided to begin our year of corners of Saskatchewan. From A to Z ourselves off the global supermarket. I eating locally on the first day in spring — from asparagus in spring to grew up on a farm at Craik, north of that we ate something green from my zucchini in fall and the jelly in Regina, where we kept a big garden. This unpredictability appealed between — we would stock our larder vegetable garden, picked berries and to me. There would be no X on the with local fare. raised chickens, but by the time I had calendar and no Last Supper. We were

42 Degrees spring 2010 Ehman’s decision to eat a Saskatchewan- only diet for one year was a culinary adventure that would bring her closer to her community, to her rural roots and to the source of a daily ritual that nourished her body, mind and soul. already buying some of our food from It’s good for the environment if it our dinner table. Next, it would not local farmers — eggs, chickens, cuts the mileage and the expenditure apply to beverages because, while I cherries, lentils — so we could think of fossil fuels. Eating is one of the do like a tumbler of cold milk now of it as a “spring forward” rather than least environmentally friendly things and then, I was not about to give up a “fall back.” More of a good thing we do, yet one of the easiest to the occasional glass of wine with rather than less of everything else. change on an individual basis. dinner and John was not about to give Besides, I was quite sure I would It’s better for your health because up his morning cup of joe. need an entire growing season to local produce is usually picked at the Finally, I would cheat now and then. prepare for the winter months. I peak of perfection, so the nutrients After all, the occasional teeny-weeny would pick berries, freeze tomatoes, are not depleted by under-ripening well-intentioned indiscretion would can fruit, preorder a dozen chickens and long months in storage. Smaller not spoil the broth. In fact, it might and side of lamb, stock up on lentils local gardeners are more likely to sweeten the pot immeasurably. So, and learn to identify mushrooms that grow varieties of vegetables bred for for instance, if I needed a pinch of won’t make us sick. Unless we superior nutrition and flavour, rather cinnamon for a fragrant Portuguese sufficiently planned ahead, I feared than for their uniform size and ability soup, olive oil for an authentic pasta our Saskatchewan diet might not to withstand long transportation in primavera or raisins for a batch of survive to the following spring. Our the back of a truck. oatmeal cookies, well, so be it. I hearts may be willing, but a weak It’s good for the community justified these small indulgences on stomach would lose faith. because it forges ties between rural the grounds that our local diet was As it was, that fateful day came producers and urban consumers, not meant to be a hardship — not a sooner than anticipated. It was a soft sustaining smaller family farms and sacrifice but a celebration of local afternoon in mid-April when I gardens that might otherwise succumb food. discovered those tiny green chives to the economic pressures of the As luck would have it, 2005 was growing in the herb garden. I went global marketplace. It’s good for the the year of Saskatchewan’s centenary, into the house, grabbed the scissors local economy, cutting out the middle and what better way to mark the and cut them to the quick. agents and keeping our food dollars occasion, I thought, than to celebrate Without so much as a preamble, I close to home. its agricultural achievements. Thanks served those chives to John for dinner, As a consumer, I welcomed the to science and ingenuity, we are now setting in motion a culinary adventure opportunity to meet the people who producing foods that the pioneers that would bring me closer to my produced my food, commiserate over never dreamed of, such as lentils, community, to my rural roots and to the weather and discuss the merits of cumin, cherries and grapes. While the source of a daily ritual that this breed of lamb or that variety of they might be amazed at this variety, nourishes my body, mind and soul. corn. Best of all, I love the way it they would not be amazed at the tastes. Eating is not a matter of notion of eating from the local bounty. Bruch menu #82: Blueberry pancakes, choice, but eating well is. To them, it was survival. To me it is breakfast sausages and chokecherry revival, turning the clock backward sauce Supper menu #103: Pasta with and forward at the same time. tomato-basil sauce and a fresh green Despite his initial scepticism (which salad, followed by a thin slice of Supper menu #117: Lamb kabobs, he insists was only tongue in cheek), cherry pie tabouli salad and homemade pita John was a willing participant in this bread with a yogurt-cilantro sauce culinary adventure. He saw I made a few ground rules. First immediately the benefits of consuming and foremost, we would follow our One day, while I was picking local fare. local diet at our dinner table and only potato bugs from my plot in the

Degrees spring 2010 43 What seems more ironic, in my view, is that so few of us who live here, eat the bounty of a land as fertile as Saskatchewan. Wouldn’t it be nice if that were an easy choice? - Excerpt from Prairie Feast

University of Regina photographer Don Hall captured Ehman’s excitement as she caught the first glimpse of the printed copies of her new book Prairie Feast: A Writer’s Journey Home for Dinner.

neighbourhood community garden As soon as I had a yard of my own, column of the same name in the (the garden being organic and no I dug up a patch of turf and planted a Saskatoon Star Phoenix. In 2006, I pesticides allowed), a young mother garden. It’s a small city garden, but it was awarded a writer’s grant from the walked by with a baby stroller. is productive. I grow lettuce and green Saskatchewan Arts Board, which set in “What are you growing?” she asked. beans, beets and zucchini, carrots and motion the beginning of a book. The Fair question. Just because I can peas. I like nothing better than to pick process of writing stories, of capturing identify a potato plant at twenty-five and eat within the hour and, at the the spirit and success of the venture, paces doesn’t mean everyone can. I end of the summer, harvesting enough rekindled memories of a childhood on grew up in a big farm house flanked tomatoes to freeze for winter months. the farm and forged a deeper by two large gardens, so I knew a With every carrot and fresh garden connection to my rural roots. But it thing or two about vegetables before I pea, I’m not thinking about dinner. I’m also staked my place in the urban could even spell them: how to tell thinking of Grandma and the pioneers. environment, proving it is possible to when the corn is ready to eat, how to live in the city and still enjoy the pick peas without yanking out the Supper menu #255: Honey-glazed favours and rhythms of the country vine, how to turn one old potato into ham, scalloped potatoes, coleslaw and life. a bucket full of new potatoes. a slice of carrot cake That book is called Prairie Feast: A “I’m growing potatoes,” I said. Writer’s Journey Home for Dinner, She nodded with interest. “And That year of eating locally is long published by Coteau Books of Regina. where do you get the potatoes?” over but, even so, it never really It’s not a directory or a how-to (which “A friend gave them to me,” I said. stopped. Why give up a good thing? I go out of date so quickly) but a They were fingerling potatoes, the had rediscovered the flavours of my humorous and personal take on the seed stock having been provided by a childhood, connected with local food, culture and fabric of prairie life. friend who had a farm near farmers, built supply lines with friends, The message, I hope, is universal: in a Saskatoon. learned the age-old skill of canning world of fast food outlets and mega “But,” she said, “where do you get and, truth be told, amassed enough of food marts, it is still possible—indeed the potatoes?” the local bounty to last another prairie pleasurable—to find our own place at I looked from her to my potatoes to winter. the dinner table. D the rest of the garden so obviously It wasn’t easy, mind you. In 2005, teeming with vegetables, and back to there were no directories of local food Amy Jo Ehman is a freelance writer the potato plants. producers and very few of them had based in Saskatoon and is a regular “They grow underground,” I said. websites. Then, as now, it was near contributor to CBC’s “Blue Sky” and “You dig them up in the fall.” impossible to find the label “Product Prairies North magazine. She also has a “Oh,” she said. “That’s cool.” of Saskatchewan” in the local grocery monthly column for the Saskatoon As she pushed on with her stroller, I store. A local diet still requires bulk- StarPhoenix and has written for remembered gardening with my buying, stocking up in season and Harrowsmith Country Living. Her blog Grandma Ehman, who would plunk me frequent trips to the farmers’ market http://homefordinner.blogspot.com/ in the wheelbarrow with her seeds (thank goodness the market in chronicled her “year of eating locally” and trowel and take me to the garden Saskatoon is year-round), and I’m still and continues to showcase the with her. I can still see her pulling a discovering new products I haven’t Saskatoon food scene. carrot and cleaning it, more or less, by tried before. rubbing it vigorously with the green From the start, I documented this carrot fronds and handing it to me culinary journey on my food blog, saying, “A little dirt won’t hurt you.” Home For Dinner, and in a newspaper

44 Degrees spring 2010